Development of an architecture framework for Intelligent Transport Systems

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are considered to be the answer to current challenges in road traffic, such as increasing congestion and energy consumption. With the increasing deployment of ITS and new possibilities of digitalisation, the connection and interworking of ITS and ITS services in the form of ITS value chains and networks have become more and more attractive or even indispensable. However, the interoperability of systems and services and the smooth cooperation and collaboration of involved organisations and actors are not an obvious matter. ITS architecture addresses the issue of interoperability in particular, incentivises the deployment of ITS even further and provides organisational, functional and technical guidance.
This report describes the outline and the status of a German research project with the objective of developing a National ITS Architecture Framework which aims to support ITS activities in Germany. The framework is not based on existing ITS architectures since it is expected to provide a wider view than any ITS architecture before. A common strategy and vision of all involved actors are the core of the approach. They are the foundation of the business architecture which describes the functional decomposition of the system and the relationships between organisations. Strategy and business architecture also represent the top layers of the so called ITS architecture pyramid and distinguish the presented ITS architecture framework from others. The TOGAF Architecture Development Method has been used and tailored to the needs of ITS architecture since it excellently integrates the core aspects and provides a step-by-step guidance for the complete process of developing an ITS architecture.