The integration of UAVs to the C-ITS Stack

Abstract

In this paper, we conceptualise and propose integrating UAVs with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) based on using the Cooperative-ITS (C-ITS) framework. We start by discussing the state of the art and pinpointing some of the reasons for integration and the applications that the envisaged integration would enable. Next, we recall the critical aspects of the state of the art C-ITS connectivity and discuss how seamless integration of UAVs into C-ITS can be achieved. Notably, we show that encapsulation of UAVs in C-ITS does not imply significant changes for the currently existing mechanisms and data formats. Finally, we discuss some of the open research challenges related to the integration and operation of the integrated systems and pinpoint some mechanisms which can help to address these.