A self-describing data transfer methodology for ITS applications

The wide variety of remote sensors used in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) applications (loops, probe vehicles, radar, cameras etc.) has created a need for general methods by which data can be shared among agencies and users who own disparate computer systems. We present a methodology that demonstrates that it is possible to create, encode, and decode a self-describing data stream using: (1) existing data description language standards, (2) parsers to enforce language compliance, (3) a simple content language that flows out of the data description language, and (4) architecture neutral encoders and decoders based on ASN.1.