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U.S. Department of Transportation
Office of the Secretary
of Transportation

PROGRAM SOLICITATION
Small Business Innovation Research Program

Questions and Answers

10.2-FH2 Transportation System Performance Measurement Using Existing Loop Infrastructure

1. QUESTION:
   Has FHWA already sponsored a SBIR project of designing an inductive loop device that can accurately identify vehicles?

   ANSWER:
   Yes, however the contractor chose not to release the technology.

2. QUESTION:
   Did FHWA have any public reports or previous SBIR project on developing inductive loop signature identification system?

   ANSWER:
   No, there are no reports on the previous SBIR activities. However, there are a variety of reports in the literature on research that has been conducted on inductive loop signatures.

10.2-FH3 Mobile Device Application Component

1. QUESTION:
   During phase I do we need to submit sample mobile applications of our own or is this something that is done only in phase II?

   ANSWER:
   The main deliverable during Phase I is an understanding of the design and deployment process. No actual applications are needed except as illustrations of the process.

2. QUESTION:
   Is there an SDK or publicly available API that enables access to IntelliDrive System from third party developers? If not, is this part of the phase I proposal you expect to receive?

   ANSWER:
   We expect any developer to use the SDK provided by the intended target device maker (e.g. cell phone, PND). The API that enables access to the other IntelliDrive components is not publicly available. It will be given to all prospective application developers as part of Phase 2 support material.

3. QUESTION:
   Please clarify this statement: "...Can it identify the type of vehicle as a person changes modes?" What mode is this statement referring to?

   ANSWER:
   We in the Department tend to use the word "mode" as shorthand for "Mode of Transportation". In this solicitation we are interested in finding out if typical handheld devices such as smart phones can become self aware of the mode of transportation they are being used on. A typical urban commuter may start their commute by walking to a garage, then taking a personal light vehicle to a park-and-ride lot, catching a coach bus or heavy-rail train into the city center, and then reaching their final destination by using a transit bus or subway.

4. QUESTION:
   Please clarify this statement: "What are mobile phones capable of doing?". Can I assume that this statement refers specifically to location capability and functions necessary to support location functions; and not referring to generic capability of mobile phones, i.e. ability to take pictures, browse the web, upload or download file, etc.?

   ANSWER:
   We are primarily interested in the location sensing ability of smart phones and their ability to exchange files with secure servers. We want to learn what else might be available that may be of interest.

5. QUESTION:
   Is the IntelliDrive System a functioning system? That is, is there a working system to receive data from devices or is it still under development and not expected to be accessible in Phase I or Phase II?

   ANSWER:
   That part of the system was used in the recent proof of concept testing. It is available for this project in Phase II.

6. QUESTION:
   If yes, is there an API or any other technical documentation for it?

   ANSWER:
   Other technical documentation will be available when the project starts. The simple explanation is that a file will be sent to an IPv6 address using standard secure Internet Protocol means.

7. QUESTION:
   Is there interest in a proof of concept in Phase I or should the focus be exclusively on the technical and policy questions?

   ANSWER:
   The focus in Phase I is on the technical and policy questions.

8. QUESTION:
   In what time zone is the deadline for submission?

   ANSWER:
   EST- solicitation closes May 14, 2010, 11:59 pm

9. QUESTION:
   Is the technical focus for Phase I specific to the potential application development for the IntelliDrive System?

   ANSWER:
   Yes-we are interested in applications that could be part of the IntelliDrive concept.

10. QUESTION:
    What types of policy questions are you looking to be answered? How much of this should be included in the proposal?

    ANSWER:
    Samples of the policy questions were given in the RFP. Phase I of the project would be used as the forum to address the policy issues.

11. QUESTION:
    As for questions asked in the RFP, are you looking for those to be answered in the proposal?

    ANSWER:
    No-again, Phase I will provide the forum to answer those specific questions as well as any others the offeror can bring to the discussion.

10.2-NH1 Driver Detecting Cell Phone Blocker System

1. QUESTION:
   "8. It can be implemented with no or little infrastructure changes to public transportation." Does this include device technology that could be incorporated into the driver environment to assist in the successful operation of the system (both aftermarket and infused in new vehicle production)?

   ANSWER:
   A system which would require a hardware component to be placed in the public domain (placed in all buses, along train routes, along all public roadways etc.) in order to determine if a moving cell phone being used by a driver would not be ideal. This degree of infrastructure change would be cost prohibitive to the public transportation system. Hardware which resides inside a driver's vehicle would be acceptable; however consider that a solution with little or no cost/installation time for an in-vehicle component would be preferred.

2. QUESTION:
   Is this technology intended to be loaded just on the cell phone itself or could it include a car based system that interacts with the cell phone?

   ANSWER:
   The technology can be phone based, car based or a combination of the two.

3. QUESTION:
   Is it acceptable to use a secondary device as part of the solution?

   ANSWER:
   Yes

4. QUESTION:
   Does the solution have to only work within the mobile device itself?

   ANSWER:
   No, but please consider that instrumenting the public transportation (trains, buses, highways) would not be an ideal solution.

5. QUESTION:
   Does the solution need to be backwards compatible with all phones or can GPS as well as additional sensors be required for full functionality?

   ANSWER:
   Ideally, a solution should cover as many people and situations as possible. Backwards compatibility would be preferred but not required.