Project: #465 PedPal Lite: An ATSC-Independent Safe Intersection Crossing App Progress Report - Reporting Period Ending: March 31, 2024 Principal Investigator: Stephen Smith Status: Active Start Date: July 1, 2023 End Date: June 30, 2024 Research Type: None Grant Type: Research Applied Grant Program: US DOT BIL, Safety21, 2023 - 2028 (4811) Grant Cycle: Safety21 : 23-24 Progress Report (Last Updated: April 1, 2024, 9:43 p.m.) % Project Completed to Date: None % Grant Award Expended: None % Match Expended & Document: None USDOT Requirements Accomplishments The major goal of the project is to develop a version of our PedPal safe intersection crossing app that does not require the presence of the surtrac traffic signal control system running at the intersection but instead interacts directly with the hardware controller that is running the lights at the intersection. This goal aims at lowering the barrier to widespread deployment, since the municipality does not have to purchase surtrac to take advantage of the PedPal technology. Over the first 6 months of the project, the following has been accomplished toward this goal: (1) We have produced a revised PedPal cloud server protocol that consolidates management of (1) communication with the UWB beacons at each intersection corner and (2) transmission of DSRC formatted messages between PedPal and the intersection controller (which was previously done via interaction with Surtrac services). The design utilizes the NTCIP standard controller interface protocol for responding to various message types, and assumes the existence of either (1) a vendor specific device in the cabinet at the intersection that handles message transmission and receipt, or (2) a local processor running V-to-I hub software that we install in the cabinet for the same purpose. Implementation of the new cloud server has commenced using an Econolite ATC Controller (given the short term deployment opportunity mentioned below). (2) A second important aspect of the cloud server redesign concerns an adjustment to the way that the PedPal app establishes connectivity with UWB beacons at intersection corners. In the current prototype, advantage was taken of the fact that UWB corner beacons (which were demonstrated and validated using iPhones) could communicate with the cloud server to exchange identifying tokens. However, this approach was adopted only after determining that the basic protocol provided to exchange tokens for 3rd party (Estimote) beacons required use of bluetooth, which in field experiments proved to be ineffective. In further discussion with Estimote (the 3rd party beacon vendor), they have indicated that there is an alternative (non-public) protocol that relies only on UWB communication. Pursuing this guidance, we are currently reprogramming the PedPal app to adopt this new protocol. Impacts In January 2024, we participated in development of a DOT ATTAIN proposal by Sacramento County CA to develop a hardened version of an app that combines Pedpal safe intersection crossing with pathVU's wayfinding and accessible routing capability, and carry out a 2-year pilot deployment of the app on 31 intersections in Sacramento County. (An initial integration of these capabilities was achieved during the Mobility21 Big Ideas project titled "Development and Integration of Technologies for the Complete Trip".) We believe this to be a great short-term opportunity for deployment of the results of the results of this project. Other Nothing at this point. Outcomes New Partners Sacramento County has recruited us as a deployment partner. Issues No significant changes or problems.