Design platform for plug-and-play IEEE 1451 traffic signal

A new approach for integrating traffic controllers with signals and sensors is being investigated that involves the plug and play distributed sensor technologies that conform to the IEEE 1451 standard. The components and basic architecture of the IEEE 1451 standard are described in this paper. Preliminary work has resulted in an inexpensive hardware and software development platform. Using this platform will facilitate determining operating performance and identifying development challenges involved with implementing a distributed sensor network for traffic control. Proof of concept calculations suggest that the IEEE 1451 network approach has sufficient bandwidth to manage the information requirements. A map for future development work is suggested.