Alexa Traveler Information Skill, Powered by the Situation Data Exchange

To expand public access to connected vehicle Traveler Information Messages (TIMs), Trihydro built an Alexa-enabled Traveler Information Skill, which can be invoked to provide drivers with information regarding road conditions, closures, and work zones. The Alexa Traveler Information Skill receives real-time data from departments of transportation to provide drivers with critical, authenticated information.

In November 2020, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) successfully deployed the first production implementation of connected vehicle (CV) Traveler Information Message (TIM) messaging technology through its CV Pilot Project. After the successful deployment, WYDOT began looking for more opportunities to leverage the latest intelligent transportation system (ITS) technology in pursuit of ongoing innovation and progress toward Vision Zero on Wyoming roadways.

The Situation Data Exchange (SDX)

As part of the CV Pilot Project, WYDOT’s data is housed in the Trihydro Situation Data Exchange (SDX), a centralized data retention and distribution source for connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) information. The SDX enables authorized third parties, such as Amazon Alexa, Waze, and various other mapping applications, to use the data. To further expand the usability and outreach for public access to this information, Trihydro built an Alexa-enabled Traveler Information Skill, which can be invoked to provide drivers with information regarding road conditions, closures, and work zones on their route.

The Alexa Traveler Information Skill

The Alexa Traveler Information Skill receives real-time data from WYDOT through the SDX and provides drivers with a one-stop shop for critical, authenticated traveler information. Trihydro built the first version of the Traveler Information Skill in three weeks and deployed the final product in collaboration with WYDOT one month later.

The SDX supports messages covering roadways for all 50 states in a single, convenient service, minimizing driver distraction. Once Alexa receives spoken inputs, a handler accepts the information and queries SDX to find all TIMs that have a service region intersecting the path. The TIMs are then decoded, parsed, and translated into corresponding road conditions between the two locations. Alexa then delivers the response to the user, allowing drivers to better prepare for their roadway travels. Currently, California, Colorado, North Carolina, Utah, and Wyoming data is housed in the SDX and allows the Alexa Skill to give information on these road conditions to users. As more states come online in the SDX the skill will continue to grow.

Outcomes

• WYDOT gained a cost-effective, low-maintenance tool that supports roadway safety and route efficiencies.
• WYDOT can provide drivers with traveler information without the overhead cost of roadside units (RSUs).
• WYDOT expanded its CAV technology footprint and primed the state for future technological advancements.