Determining and controlling emergent behavior in intelligent transportation systems

Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) are the integration of current and emerging technologies in fields such as information processing, communications, and electronics applied to solving surface transportation problems. One specific use of ITS technologies seeks to incorporate a variety of on-board sensors to assist the driver in the efficient and safe operation of a vehicle. The interaction of a series of independent ITS entities amongst themselves and/or with their environment, can lead to the development (or emergence) of highly complex behaviors or properties. In most cases these behaviors will be unanticipated by the original system designer. The potential for systems instability is a definite concern. Intelligent transportation systems have the potential for generating these undesired effects. This paper will examine the current methods used to predict and control the emergence of unpredictable behaviors in complex driving assistance systems, especially concentrating on minimizing the overall effects of this phenomenon on the performance, stability and safety of ground vehicles.