Urban Transport As a Context-aware Cloud of Services (UTACCS) Proposal.

Transcription

1 Urban Transport As a Context-aware Cloud of Services (UTACCS) Proposal. The UTACCS project is an application for funding under Objective ICT Cloud Computing, Internet of Services and Advanced Software Engineering. Cloud Computing is in widespread use enabling tens of millions of users including mobile users to access a variety of personal applications and business services thus underscoring its power as a core Information Communication Technology (ICT) paradigm. The application of Cloud Computing to enhance Intelligent Transport Services (ITS) represents both a major opportunity and a challenge to demonstrate the potential for cloud computing to have a significant societal impact and in turn, ITS can act as an important driver for advances in Cloud Computing. Urban public travel has a great potential to cause a shift to a greener travel environment because of the greater temporal-spatial density of its citizens, road and rail infrastructure and public and freight services where small shifts when aggregated lead to a significant gain. The challenges here are that the ITS information space consists of numerous highly-fragmented transport provider information resources that need to be flexibly orchestrated, the use of transport pervades the physical space in our daily lives that can be highly influenced by rich current, past and predictive mobile user context models, accessed via a range of terminal devices and over a range of access networks. This requires advances in cloud computing in order to improve the autonomic management of cloud resources adding support to manage Communication and their access devices as a Service (CaaS) masking distribution, latency, communication bottlenecks etc, handling data portability to enable highly fragmented data sources to be flexibly orchestrated and adapted to rich user context models that are managed to protect users privacy in a trustworthy way. These ITS driven advances in cloud computing are the focus of the UTACCS project. The main goal of the UTACCS project is: To research and pilot the potential large-scale societal impacts that can result from an Internet-of-Things connected Intelligent Transport System combined with a Federated Cloud platform. This will be accomplished by developing a platform that allows Cloud ITS to be dynamic, scalable, resilient and secure, generating a model that enables the publishing and ubiquitous availability/accessibility of urban transport data and services, whilst meeting the interests of National, Local and City governments, private enterprise and the public demand for connectivity, privacy and availability of data and applications. 1

2 The specific project objectives to meet this goal are: 1. Provide an architecturally resilient, Federated Cloud reference model for the interoperability of Internet- of- Things connected Intelligent Transport Systems, outlining details for the technical operation of a high availability, resilient, secure and interoperable federated ITS cloud framework. 2. Assess the existing and new requirements of the Information collectors/provider community and data users, taking into account any new hardware and software services to produce detailed specifications of development processes, system architecture and the services framework. 3. Develop and specify a Core Cloud shared resource framework that enables cloud- based ITS services and resources to be elastically interoperable, integrated, shared and accessed on- demand. 4. Research the challenges in Cloud Development that currently limit the transfer of Internet- of Things intelligent transport systems and services to a federated Cloud based model. Therefore provide Cloud Development State- of- the- Art increases in Resilience and Performance, Cloud interoperability, Security and privacy and Context- driven User- Centred Service Provision. 5. Validate the architectural reference model against the derived requirements with the implementation of real life use cases. Through the implementation of a Federated Cloud pilot and developer zone that provides a programming model that enables cost- efficient development and pan- European (consider Trans- National) deployment of services. 6. Effectively disseminate and exploit the developed architectural Federated Cloud reference model through community engagement and structured dissemination actions., including the development of a sustainable business model. With this call of interest we seek potential organisations and enterprises who would be interested in forming part of the data collectors/user community that will be instigated early on in the project. If interested in supporting the project sign, scan and return the LoI to [email protected] The LoI can be found at the end of this document. 2

3 Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) as an enabler to advance Cloud computing services As sectors like energy, transport and logistics increasingly rely on the Internet, there is a need to support their collaboration with the European ICT communities in a cross-sector approach based on a common framework of specifications, standards and trials, to speed up the development and uptake of services based on Internet-enabled 'smart' infrastructures. Cloud computing is transforming the delivery of both software services and, in turn, the service industry itself and can have a profound impact on business ICT strategies in all sectors. Open innovation and open web-based innovation platforms is an important development that can ensure access to new ideas and rapid market uptake of innovations. International cooperation becomes a must to address the global challenges and to build win- win partnerships with well-targeted countries for technology, economic and social developments. 1 The European Union also seeks to improve the efficiently of transport. Development of an efficient transport system is at the heart of the EU transport White paper. The Transport white paper notes several key challenges and opportunities that face the future transport paradigm. In the opening chapter the White paper states that transportation is fundamental to our economy. Mobility is vital for a functioning modern society. Transport acts as an enabler for growth and social mobility. Pointing out that transport operates in a truly global market place crossing borders, and therefore needs robust international cooperation. The European Union has also long recognised that Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) have a role to play in delivering improvements in transport efficiency. ITS can be used across all modes of transport, land, sea and air providing a number of applications. Traveller information services provide a high value for travellers wishing to plan and execute journeys. Static and dynamic data sets combine to provide pre, on and even post trip information services that are delivered on a host of platforms. Increasingly these platforms have precision accuracy location awareness and Internet connectivity. Turning the platform into an Object itself to provide information to other Object/platform users. Traffic management provides guidance to private, commercial and public vehicles. Communicating the conditions of the road network. Allowing traffic network managers to change and adapt the network based on external planned and unplanned demands. Electronic ticketing and payment are driven by the need to reduce congestion and pollution. ITS supports development of a sustainable transport network through providing the technology that underpins the concept of the user pays. Electronic Fee Collection 1 Source Updated Work Programme 2011 and Work Programme 2012 Cooperation theme 3 ICT- Information and Communications Technologies. (European Commission C(2011)5068 of 19 July 2011) 3

4 (EFC) systems can offer the possibility of charging road vehicles in a flexible way and allow targeted infrastructure charging policies. It is essential for such systems to be interoperable, also across national borders, to avoid creating new obstacles to traffic flow in Europe. Logistic chains traverse regions, national borders, political and linguistic boundaries. These chains often involve multiple changes of modes and vehicles. Sometimes multiple changes are undertaken within a single mode separating cargo and locomotion units. Leading to tracking and tracing complexity. The wide range of cargo that is transported demands different transport management strategies. For example the transport of perishable, high value items, live animals and dangerous goods has lead to a fleet of commercial applications such as tracking and tracing, fleet management, contextual traffic information services, and intelligent truck parking systems. Vehicle-to-Vehicle and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure cooperative systems have cautiously moved from research into deployment. Co-operative systems can have positive effects on vehicle safety and traffic efficiency. These benefits are increased through communication with road infrastructures and other vehicles. The development of ICT infrastructure to support such services has been rapid and now far exceeds the capacity required to support vertical ITS integrations alone. Location awareness and smart connected devices has led to an explosion of traveller and transport applications. Data convergence produces innovative applications that would never have been conceived of even a decade ago. The Internet-of-Things brings a further level of innovation to this market. A connected world would bring remarkable societal advances and second order benefits. It is suggested that the added value of Internet-of-Things connected services could reach over 220 billion Euros worldwide 2. The expected stimulus to innovation and growth in multiple areas is accepted to be significant. The potential for important societal impact combining ITS and the Internet-of-Things can not be over stated. A truly open, ubiquitous, secure and resilient federated Cloud based ITS data store and services platform, would enable data to be exchanged across multiple data collectors and providers. Portability of applications would not be an issue. Vertical integration would become obsolete as applications communicate across platforms, infrastructure and objects. All travelling objects would merge and interact. People, goods and vehicles would collectively choose the best path delivering transport sustainability. However despite the significant advances in ICT infrastructure, the summary of the transport white paper mid-term review states; ITS solutions in road transport are being taken up slower than expected and services are deployed on a fragmented basis. This has led to a patchwork of national, regional and local solutions endangering the integrity 2 Technology Strategy Board :- Internet of Things convergence Competition for funding of preparatory studies October

5 of the single market. Consequently, ITS cannot contribute effectively to addressing growing challenges in road transport. 3 The main problem drivers are noted as being a lack of interoperability of applications, systems and services, insufficient effective cooperation and issues surrounding privacy and liability concerns. Data availability and convergence has enabled many ITS applications. However these still remain vertically integrated. Operability between similar applications is as limited as interoperability of public transport smart ticketing systems between national cities. For example, inn common with many other EU cities, Liverpool s delivery of integrated real time passenger transport information is fragmented and not universally available. In part this is because operators (whether public or private) are not using interoperable systems or platforms. This results in several different applications being required either concurrently or sequentially to optimise journey times and costs. E.g. As of January 2012 Merseytravel, like Transport for London, operates a number of distinct electronic passenger information systems: 1. Smart Shelters (currently 1000 of 6000)/ Stations displaying Train or Bus (though not both) anticipated times based on route monitoring and/or GPS. Subject to vandalism, malfunction as well as being expensive to install. 2. Real time train arrivals at nominated stations by text. 3. Expected bus arrival times, based on timetable information, at nominated stops, by text. Integration, correlation of multiple source data and iterative updating could substantially enhance the delivery of ITS services, including route optimisation, in this area. Therefore conclusion has been reached, that if the situation remains unsolved that it would be extremely difficult to deliver vital transport policy objectives. Commercial road transport will continue to increase, 55% by 2020, with passenger transport increasing by 36% 4. Transport CO 2 emissions will also grow by 15% in the same timeframe 5. It is also recognised that the Internet-of-things revolution faces some comparable systematic barriers such as fragmentation, availability, harmonisation and access to data. The market needs an ECO system of open applications and services of the Internet-of-things. The EU commissioner for Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes said at a conference in May The real innovation will come from combining Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things. 3 Commission staff working document - Accompanying document to the communication from the Commission : action plan for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in Europe and the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems in the field of road transport and their interfaces with other transport modes - Summary of the impact assessment {COM(2008) 886 final} {COM(2008) 887 final} {SEC(2008) 3083} 4 ASSESS study for the mid- term review of the EC Transport White Paper, Keep Europe moving, European Environment Agency: Climate for a transport change. TERM EEA Report 1/ accessed 5th January

6 Partners Participant no. Participant organisation name Part. short Country * name 1 (Coordinator) Logica Logica Sweden 2 Affiliated Computer Services ACS The Netherlands 3 Aimes Grid Services CIC Aimes UK 4 Avanti Communications Avanti Cyprus 5 Grouppo Clas Groupo Italy 6 International Road Transport Union IRU Switzerland Federation 7 Newcastle University NEWU UK 8 Queen Mary University London QMUL UK 9 Q-Sphere Q-Sphere UK 10 Viktoria institute Viktoria Sweden 11 Interporto Bologna SpA IPBO Italy 6

7 Remove red text! LoI to be addressed to: Sign then scan and send to Mr Gary Bridgeman Project Manager IRU Permanent Delegation to the EU av. de Tervueren, Box Brussels Belgium Re. UTACCS project Developing a transport federated cloud framework for Cities Dear Mr Bridgeman, I am pleased to confirm that [institution] is interested in being involved as a stakeholder in the UTACCS project The concept of UTACCS is to provide a Cloud service platform for the provision of ITS tools and services to deliver efficient access to City-wide data, both across the EU and within each EU member state. The project will use the transport domain as a proof of concept area by facilitating the provision of data to those tools and services tailored to the needs of relevant stakeholders [institution] shares the view that Cloud Computing is a powerful evolutionary step in distributed computing and a potent enabler for more advance mobile computing services such as ITS services in which information and communication technology are applied to transport infrastructures and to vehicles to improve transport outcomes such as transport productivity, travel reliability, informed travel choices, environmental performance and network operation resilience. Should the UTACCS project be favorably evaluated, [institution] therefore confirms that it will participate to selected stakeholder events, to be agreed in due time, and that it will consider the opportunity of also contributing to the project with intellectual knowledge and access to relevant data sets. [Institution] understands that the project will, in some cases depending on the item and level of involvement, cover the direct expenses arising from its participation to the project activities. We wish you a successful proposal [Signature, place and date] 7