Supporting Transportation System Management and Operations Using Internet of Things Technology: Phase II Field Tests

Report No: 25-R7

Published in 2025

About the report:

This Phase II report builds on Phase I findings, further examining the application of the Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies in supporting transportation system operations and management. Phase I included a literature review to understand the current state of LPWAN applications and an online survey targeting transportation professionals to gather their experiences with LPWAN technology. The recommendations from Phase I suggested Phase II should focus on key technical issues such as the feasibility of transmitting various data sizes, data transmission frequency and rate, and deployment requirements. Thus, Phase II focused on the field test of the Long-Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication solutions.

Pedestrian counting solutions utilizing LoRaWAN and NB-IoT were tested at Old Dominion University and in Williamsburg, VA to assess their feasibility, performance, cost, and possible technical issues. In the experiments conducted in the field, LoRaWAN proved effective in areas with high-density devices; it covers wide areas with fewer gateways powered by solar panels, making it cost-effective and efficient. NB-IoT, which uses existing cellular networks, showed its flexibility across geographically dispersed areas, eliminating the need for additional supporting devices. Strategic placement of devices was found to be crucial for reliable data transmission, and robust power solutions are essential to reduce the impact of weather. Both technologies demonstrated scalability, with applications that potentially extend beyond pedestrian counting.

The field test results underscore the importance of tailored deployment strategies for the LPWAN technologies that consider environmental conditions, infrastructure density, and economic factors to optimize performance and reliability. The extensive evaluation of the LPWAN technologies provides a valuable reference for transportation agencies when deploying them for LPWAN-based transportation applications. The research team recommends that VDOT keeps monitoring advancements in LoRaWAN and NB-IoT technologies to stay informed about emerging commercial sensors for expanded transportation applications.

Disclaimer Statement:The contents of this report reflect the views of the author(s), who is responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Virginia Department of Transportation, the Commonwealth Transportation Board, or the Federal Highway Administration. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Any inclusion of manufacturer names, trade names, or trademarks is for identification purposes only and is not to be considered an endorsement.

Authors

  • Hong Yang, Ph.D., Mecit Cetin, Ph.D., Yuzhong Shen, Ph.D., Zizheng Yan, Junqing Wang 

Last updated: January 15, 2025

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