U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of the Secretary
of Transportation
DTRT57-05-R-SBIR
DOT Program Solicitation for
Small
Business Innovation Research
Technical Questions and Answers (Updated 05/02/05)
Program Contents
05-FH1 Compact Laser Sheargraphy System for Crack Detection
Question: We have developed an advanced optical sensing system that can detect and monitor various parameters, such as strain, temperature, selected bio and chemical agents, and many others. The system consists of unique hardware and software tools. We have abilities to offer a micro-crack detection system for steel and concrete. However, the system would be permanently installed and offer real-time monitoring of structural conditions. Would this be of interest?
Answer: This in not responsive to the laser shearography solicitation. That concerns laser based speckle interferometry imaging, not fiber optic sensors, and the main emphasis is on hardware development, not software.
Question: Could you elaborate on the use of the system? Is this to be a field system? Will the system only inspect specimens?
Answer: This system is intended to be used in the field as well as in the laboratory.
Return to Top
05-FH2 Low Cost Workzone Collision Warning System
Question: The full description indicates the evaluators would like if "proposers provide working samples of their work with sensors and displays." Does this means the evaluator would like the proposer to submit working hardware with the proposal?
Answer: We do not want the proposers to submit their hardware. Instead we want them to provide information on what kind of products they make and what technologies they use. From the information (on samples, not all of their products) we should know their background and expertise in some technical areas, such as sensor, LED display, communication, and systems integration, which are needed for this project.
Question: Under topic 05-FH2, reference is made to "previous research results and specifications (University of Michigan etc.)" Would you please direct me to a source for these documents?
Answer: Two reference file are put on FHWA ftp site, go to ftp://fhwaftp.fhwa.dot.gov username HRDOGUEST (uppercase) password hrdoguest (lower case), when login, select folder HRDO then folder TO the folder WorkzoneITS. There are two files in the folder: the pdf file is University of Michigan final report; and the gif file is a dynamic graphic illustration of operational concept.
Question: Below are general answers to similar questions for all bidders under topic 05-FH2.
Answer:
The definition of "Low Cost"
There is no specifications on the cost per unit. In practice, this type of units will be deployed in a large number for a workzone. Too high cost would prevent DOTs to implement such units. FHWA expects the contract to design a system with a reasonable balance between the cost and the performance. In other words, we don't expect high-tech, expensive detection and communication systems with high cost. We also expect the contract to propose some creative ways to reduce costs in the future (not necessarily to do it in the Phase I).
The number of units (20 in RFP)
We look into the design and ways to build the units, instead of a duplication of the units to reach number 20. Therefore, it is not necessarily to build 20 units, but may need to explore several different options.
The operational concept illustrated in the gif file.
Using the color lights is just one of the options. According to UMTRI studies, using LED white lights may be more appropriate. Therefore, the assumption is using LED white or colored (not red color) lights.
Return to Top
05-RT2 Use of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV) - Zeppelins to create "as built" plans for transportation infrastructures and roadway inventory
Question: What is the desired outcome of Phase I? The development of a remotely piloted airship and payload? The development of open source software to merge imagery, or both?
Answer: Remotely and automatically measuring traffic parameters such as number of vehicles and miles traveled.
Question: What information are you expecting the system to create? The topic says "..a detailed identification of the transportation infrastucture..", which is not very clear. Are you looking for 2D or 3D models of the road bed? How important is it to find features such as potholes and fractures? How about overhead signs, bridges, and overhanging trees?
Answer: Any and all information as needed for infrastructure management issues by state highway agencies.
Question: Can you elaborate on the term "as built"?
Answer: "As built" refers to constructed structure or infrastructure system that may require appropriate upgrading or other changes.
Question: What is the target range requirements of the RPV per flight? Is it "line of sight" of in a radius?
Answer: a few miles (2-3 miles)
Question: What is the target flight duration requirements per flight?
Answer: a few hours (4-8 hours)
Question: Can the SBIR Phase I project broadly review the state-of-the-art of commercially available off the shelf (COTS) remotely piloted aerial vehicles that have the capability to "hover" as well as move in the x-y-z direction in addition to airships to assess the relative scientific and commercial merits of each platform?
Answer: No, it is not an innovation.
Question: Can the concept of integrating data collected from remotely piloted remote sensing aerial platforms and on-site data collection (e.g. the FHWA Digital Highway Measurement Vehicle) be extended to include equivalent situations in other transportation modes, particularly transit and rail systems? If the answer is yes, can "as built" also mean "as designed" as in monitoring the exclusive rights of way and preferential traffic operational features of Bus Rapid Transit systems and intermodal terminal areas?
Answer: This would be OK.
Question: In this solicitation is the DOT specifically looking for open source software to merge high resolution imagery data of transportation infrastructure with the FHWA Data Collection Van?
Answer: Yes, we wish the SBIR to generate open source software which can merge the imagery data from the zeppelin with the data from the van into a database that allows users to analyze the road in context. Thus, the data must be synchronized in time and space.
Question: Is there a preferred power generation/energy conversion technology that the DOT wish to implement into the RPV Zeppelins (for example fuel cell)?
Answer: No, that is an implementation issue which is up to the proposer.
Question: Do you have more references with regards to this solicitation
Answer: Yes. We have posted two brochures a Powerpoint presentation to the web site. In addition, see the following list of related papers references. Note that the purpose of the aerial data collection is to supplement not replace the ground based data collection.
- TRB 2005 Handout (PDF, 723KB) - Generate As-Built Plans Using FHWA-TFHRC Digital Highway Measurement System
- TRB 2005 Poster (MS Word, 83KB) - Federal Highway Administration TFHRC'S Advanced Research Digital Highway Measurement Vehicle
Related Papers (MS Word, 28KB) - Published papers relating to data collections with various elements of the Digital Highway Measurement Vehicle
Question: What operating and driver systems are the FHWA unit using? (Linux?)
Answer: The Digital Highway Measurement Vehicle is currently using a number of systems which are all running versions of Microsoft Windows for compatibility with certain software tools which its developer uses. Windows is known to have some issues with real time response but the developers were able to work around them. The important compatibility is with data transmission and synchronization. This can be achieved with a variety of systems. For this, Linux or Windows would be satisfactory and other systems might be justified.
Question:Can innovations be trickled in on phase 1 and phase 2 if a time and budget allowance is available?
Answer: It is desirable that the work plan implement improvements in such a way that a working system is always present at the end of each stage. The Incremental and particularly Iterative software development models as laid out in software engineering textbooks propose these as approaches which help minimize problems. In phase I proving that data coordination is feasible would be a key goal.
Return to Top
05-RT3 Use of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (RPV) - to create "as built" plans for transportation infrastructures and roadway inventory for improved maintenance, and emergency preparedness and management
Question: Can you elaborate on the term "as built"?
Answer: "As built" refers to constructed structure or infrastructure system that may require appropriate upgrading or other changes.
Return to Top
05-PH1 Innovative Safety, Reliability and Inspection Technologies for Pipeline Safety
Question: Would it be of interest to the DOT to receive proposals that increase the safety of the pipeline through optical sensing hardware systems and software algorithms?
Answer: DOT/PHMSA/OPS along with DOE and industry partners have funded several studies to investigate the cost effectiveness of optical sensing hardware systems for encroachment monitoring and or integrity of the pipeline system. The two stopping points are cost effectiveness for existing systems to be retro-fitted and recording of false positive readings that require numerous physical inspections. These two issues have forced pipeline operators and the government to investigate other technical solutions.
Two of the DOT/OPS project reports can be found at:
Return to Top
05-FA1 Development of a low cost, voice activated cockpit for General Aviation (GA) aircraft and helicopters for use in Precision Visual Flight Rules (PVFR) operations
Question: Does the prototype need to be installed in an operational aircraft or just demonstrated in a simulator type environment? If it must be installed in an aircraft during this phase, will the FAA facilitate the necessary approvals such as an STC or field approval?
Answer: Concerning the first question, the answer is no - the prototype does not need to be installed in an operational aircraft. However that does not imply that a respondent could propose to install in an aircraft. In the event of interest in an aircraft, no resources or FAA assistance would be provided to do certification work. Details of that effort would be left to the decision of the company, which could result in an aircraft losing a standard airworthiness certificate and be forced to fly in experimental category.
Return to Top
