Ethernet for ITS Field Data Communications (0-4768-S)

There are many justifications for using Ethernet in traffic and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) applications. Ethernet enjoys widespread acceptance, is nonproprietary, and supports the universally popular transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols. These Internet protocols support point-to-point and point-to-multipoint links as well as numerous utilities, such as telnet and simple network management protocol (SNMP), which can be used to remotely configure equipment. From the user's point of view, the most obvious benefits are that Ethernet is based on an open standard, which translates to interoperability by design while providing very affordable bandwidth. Ethernet has become common in large and small office networking because of its ability to deliver exceptional performance, scalability, and reliability for the dollar investment. In the last few years, Ethernet-based products have begun to be promoted for use in industrial and harsh environments. As the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Advanced Transportation Management Systems (ATMS) expand across the state, it is important to deploy the most beneficial technologies available to accomplish the goals of the present and to provide capability for the future. Past project work by the Statewide ITS Systems Integrator has identified Ethernet (field hubs to satellite) as the technology of choice for transport of ITS command and control data.