A connected vehicles environment holds the potential to support a fundamental advance in surface transportation. While the vehicle component and infrastructure component of the transportation system have traditionally been only loosely coupled (through static signing, vehicle presence detectors, etc.), connected vehicle technologies will allow the components to “work” actively together – creating a fully connected vehicles and infrastructure environment. This provides the potential for reduction in congestion and improvement in safety and environment, resulting in improved traveler services. In order to realize this potential, a connected vehicles system and environment will require unprecedented collaboration between the private and public sectors, on a scale not required in the current loosely coupled system. To date, the national United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Connected Vehicle initiative has focused largely on “how” to technically accomplish the integration. A considerable amount of solid technical work at the local, state and national level has been devoted to developing communications standards (e.g., Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC)), developing and deploying field equipment for small-scale prototype/proof-of-concept testing, and high-level conceptual development. As this work has progressed, it has become increasingly clear that there will not be a single way to implement connected vehicle technologies. For example, the recent trend is that various wireless technologies in addition to DSRC should be considered when exploring deployment of connected vehicles applications. In addition, there has also been considerable focus in developing automated vehicles and providing supporting infrastructure. Those vehicles will initially, and potentially in the long-term, need a connected environment to fully realize all the safety, mobility and societal benefits. As owners and operators of the nation’s surface transportation infrastructure, state and local transportation agencies are at the core of the connected vehicle infrastructure. While automakers and device manufacturers will dictate availability of vehicular equipment, transportation agencies will control the deployment and operation of roadside infrastructure and the incorporation of connected vehicle technologies into infrastructure applications (such as traffic signal control). To guide transportation agency involvement in connected vehicle deployments, AASHTO developed a Strategic Plan and Connected Vehicle Field Infrastructure Footprint Analysis to aid the owners and operators in the nationwide deployment of the connected vehicle infrastructure. USDOT has also produced guidance documents for deploying and supporting connected vehicle technology. While great strides have been made over the last decade, it is clear that additional research is still needed to develop, field-test, and perform technology transfer for applications that will make full use of the connected vehicle environment. The Connected Vehicle Pooled Fund Study (CV PFS) acts as a continuation of the Research Program to Support the Research, Development, and Deployment of System Operations Applications of Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) (TPF-5(206)). TPF-5(206) was initiated in 2009 and was active for nearly 10 years. During that time, the program has been successful in its pursuit to provide technology transfer to aid transportation agencies and OEMs in justifying and promoting the connected vehicle environment and applications through modeling, development, engineering and planning activities. As of May 2018, eleven research projects have been completed and four additional projects are currently underway. The new CV PFS will continue the work of TPF-5(206) after that project ends.

• To provide technology transfer to state, local, and international transportation agencies as well as vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in preparing for the deployment of connected vehicle infrastructure and to provide input to the AASHTO Connected and Automated Vehicle working group, USDOT Connected Vehicle Program, and other national initiatives. • To establish a multi-phase program to facilitate research, field demonstration, evaluation, and technology transfer of connected vehicle infrastructure, vehicles, and applications. • To aid transportation agencies and OEMs in justifying and promoting the large scale use of connected vehicle environment and applications through modeling, development, engineering, and planning activities.

The Pooled Fund Study will focus on the following high-level tasks: • Research, development, and evaluation of connected vehicle applications; • Improved technology transfer to state and local agencies through: o Documenting and sharing deployment best practices and guidelines; o Providing input into emerging standards; o Identifying additional requirements within the Connected Vehicle Program to connected vehicle technology by transportation agencies and OEMs; and o Coordinating with OEMs on infrastructure and vehicle tests, application development, and standards development. The specific program of projects to be conducted will be developed by participating states in the pooled fund study. Examples of recent projects conducted by TPF-5(206) include: • Traffic Management Centers in a Connected Vehicle Environment • 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short Range Communication Vehicle-based Road and Weather Condition Application – Phase I and II • Best Practices for Surveying and Mapping Roadways and Intersections for Connected Vehicle Applications • Multi-Modal Intelligent Traffic Signal System – Phase I, II, and III • Connected Traffic Control Systems

Core Members will be asked to contribute $50,000 per year. State DOT’s who find that the full $50,000 contribution from their State Planning and Research (SP&R) allocation is not achievable or have other financial limitations, may submit a request to the CV PFS Team to join by contributing at a “fair share” rate of $25,000 per year. This "fair share” tier of membership would be determined based on the percentage of the annual SP&R funds for the state or other related factors. Requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis and when approved the member will have full Core Member benefits. In addition, in response to project solicitation from other funding organizations such as USDOT, additional funding may be solicited from other sources and Pooled Fund Study members.