It is evident that the advancement of smart devices with their sensing, computing, and control capabilities makes it possible for our cities, transportation systems, factories, and living environments to become more intelligent, energy-efficient, safe, and secure. In such applications, the devices are distributed at geographically distinct locations, communication or information sharing among them is limited, and there is a demand for real-time communication and decentralized decisions. This complex system introduces new challenges since traditional approaches and designs no longer work due to the unprecedented tight coupling between control and communication.
The overarching goal of the project is twofold: (a) to develop the first interdisciplinary framework for such complex systems through a bottom-up approach, contributing towards fundamentally understanding how these complex systems should operate, and (b) support practical applications in Intelligent Transportation Systems.