RSF 161, KYTC Travel Notification System for Commercial Motor Vehicles

Abstract RSF 161, KYTC Travel Notification System for Commercial Motor Vehicles PI: Brian Howell Co-I’s Andrew Martin & Emma Stowe 01/1/2026 – 9/30/2028 The purpose of this project is to improve CMV safety and efficiency by researching the feasibility of developing a highly functional, user-friendly mobile app for in-cab notifications. This initial phase one will focus on proof-of-concept determining the feasibility of collecting, storing, and distributing value-added notifications to the CMV driver through a proposed mobile app. The research team will conduct the preliminary and foundational steps necessary to successfully develop and deploy a CMV notification mobile app in the future, should this phase validate its feasibility. The research steps will include identifying the appropriate data needs and associated standards, conducting outreach to CMV drivers to learn their needs and preferences, and researching market-based vendors capable of developing a mobile app over different platforms. This project will culminate with a comprehensive analysis from the research team and strategic decision-making from the Study Advisory Committee (SAC) on whether to proceed onto a projected phase two proof-of-concept involving the development and deployment of a mobile app. In this concept, a future mobile app could collect and transmit in-cab alert notifications to CMV drivers to advance safety. The project team will initially focus on determining the feasibility of developing notifications related to work zone locations, work zone queues (as available), truck parking locations, truck parking availability (as available), state designated rest areas, low clearance bridges, and crashes. This concept would rely on using data collected and stored within KYTC’s architecture network including data portals (GoKY), cloud-based servers, crowdsourcing, and onsite sensors, as applicable. For example, the existing GoKY portal contains real-time data feeds on work zone locations, truck parking locations, and crash sites which will push into the mobile app for instant alerts. In other cases, transportation technologies continue to evolve and have shown great promise in generating accurate and timely information on truck parking availability (e.g., counting spaces) and work zone queues (e.g., crowdsourcing and sensors), respectively. Ongoing research efforts into truck parking availability and work zone queues by KYTC and KTC would ultimately feed into this proof-of-concept mobile app for in-cab alerts. A mobile app architecture could take many forms to transmit pertinent notifications to the customer. At the base level, it is the project team’s intent to evaluate the existing KYTC network architecture and determine its receptiveness to transmit synchronized data to customers. In one scenario, an active mobile app installed on a customer’s smart phone device might rely on an Application Programming Interface (API) to send and receive data from this architecture. Various architecture standards would need to be already established or feasibly developed to maintain data integrity such as security standards, privacy protocols, and monitoring tools. This project supports the FMCSA HP-ITD program to leverage technological capability through intelligent transportation systems in supporting the goals of safety, economic strength, and transformation. Specifically, this project will research the feasibility of developing a user-friendly mobile app that will act as a “work-zone, incident, or traffic queue notification system that will inform the driver within the cab of the CMV.” (FY 2025 HP-ITD Program Priorities, Part 4.1(c).) A robust and reliable electronic notification system would promote safety by alerting drivers of approaching work zone locations, work zone queues, and crashes to either bypass the location or safely approach the area. CMV carriers and drivers would similarly experience economic advantages through this platform by potentially spending less time in adverse traffic conditions enabled by alerts as well as preemptively determining optimal truck parking locations to maximize their haul routes while ensuring their compliance to federal hours of service regulations. The research team will assess the development and deployment of this technology through the two most commonly adopted smart phone platforms--iOS and Android. This approach would promote equity across the trucking community since the majority of CMV drivers have a cell phone within their cab while a reduced number have in-cab monitors or other proprietary devices. This approach would further enable transformation through an increased probability of higher adoption rates while also allowing for other potentially high-value category notifications to be developed and distributed across this platform in the future, as needed. Since phase one for this project does not involve deployment of a technology, it is not described in Kentucky’s 2025 PP/TLD document. Still, this project does support the goals of Kentucky’s ITD program since it aims to enhance the safety of commercial vehicle operations in Kentucky.