CARMA Program

The CARMA ecosystem of products provides the necessary software for conducting CDA research and testing. The CARMA product suite consists of four downloadable tools supporting cooperation between vehicles: CARMA Cloud^SM, CARMA Streets, CARMA Platform^SM, and CARMA Messenger.

CARMA Cloud is a set of cloud-based, OSS services enabling communication and cooperation between cloud services, vehicles, infrastructure, and road users. CARMA Cloud has a web interface that displays road elements such as speed limit information, closed or open lanes, and traffic lights. The service will allow the application of TSMO CDA strategies through rules (e.g. new speed limits) for road users to help manage the flow of traffic.

CARMA Streets is an infrastructure-based application that allows automated vehicles to share information with other vehicles and infrastructure to enable cooperation and improve transportation operations and safety. CARMA Streets allows for the testing of various TSMO use cases that will aid in the advancement of CDA technology.

CARMA Platform is a vehicle-based platform that enables automated vehicles to interact and cooperate with road elements, including vehicles, infrastructure, and other road users with mobile devices.

CARMA Messenger is a vehicle-based application for manual (or non-automated) vehicles, and enables their communication with other road entities to allow participation in the CDA network. This new capability will support research with first responders and encourage transit participation in CDA.

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The introduction of CDA concepts to the transportation system will affect existing transportation strategies. The CARMA Program developed three research tracks –traffic, reliability, and freight–in anticipation of these impacts. The CARMA research tracks leverage partnerships with relevant Federal agencies to accelerate CDA R&D efforts as well as explore CDA applications to transportation operations scenarios.

The traffic research track investigates solutions to recurring traffic congestion on the road. This research track aims to demonstrate how CDA can improve road safety and traffic conditions.

The reliability research track examines CDA applications for non-recurring traffic congestion. This track focuses on scenarios for road weather management (RWM), traffic incident management (TIM), and work zone management (WZM). The WZM scenario was recently featured in an article in the Spring 2021 edition of FHWA’s Public Roads magazine.

The freight research track explores CDA applications to commercial vehicles (e.g., buses and trucks) and port operations. The freight research track’s objective is to accelerate the adoption of CDA technologies in freight vehicles, as well as demonstrate the potential of automated truck movement in ports and warehouses. The freight research track was recently featured in an article in the Summer 2021 edition in FHWA’s Public Roads magazine.

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CARMA evaluation enables the assessment of CDA features through simulation, scaled-down vehicles (1Tenth), testing, and analytics.

CARMA Simulation activities focus on everything-in-the-loop (XiL) capabilities to support CDA evaluation in a simulation environment. CARMA simulation aims to effectively develop tools to advance the understanding of CDA’s impact on the transportation system.

CARMA 1Tenth assesses CDA features using scaled-down CARMA Platform-equipped vehicles called 1Tenth vehicles. The focus of CARMA 1Tenth is to provide a practical, low-cost, efficient, and safe mechanism for developing and testing CARMA capabilities.

CARMA Testing activities aim to educate stakeholders on CARMA, enable users to test their CARMA capabilities, and build awareness for the benefits of CDA applications to transportation. Testing is conducted at test sites through the United States. This project provides ongoing support for the logistics and coordination required to enable the CARMA Program’s continued testing.

CDA evaluation through the CARMA Analytics platform helps with data transfer, storage and fusion, and analytics.

CARMA Safety involves human factors testing in the field and through simulation, including driver-in-the-loop simulation.

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The CARMA Program engages stakeholders to accelerate advancements in CDA research, development, and testing. CARMA engagement includes the CARMA Collaborative and CARMA Support Services initiatives. These activities aim to increase awareness about CARMA, foster collaboration, and encourage adoption by stakeholders and industry.

CARMA Collaborative is growing a community of CARMA users, prospective users, and other stakeholders working to advance CDA through shared expertise. CARMA Collaborative conducts outreach activities to increase awareness and participation, and facilitates strategic partnerships to promote the use of CARMA in CDA research.

CARMA Support Services provides stakeholders with knowledge and technical support on the CARMA product suite to accelerate CDA research. Staff from the FHWA Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory provide tools and expertise to CARMA participants at all levels. The program hopes to accelerate innovation by providing excellent customer service to all users.

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