CARNATIONS is a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Tier-1 University Transportation Center (UTC) that addresses the growing cyber-physical risks impacting Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in transportation. CARNATIONS focuses on Resilient PNT (R-PNT) and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications for all modes of surface transportation.

 

PNT is at a critical juncture, as transportation systems increasingly rely on it, and interference events such as jamming and spoofing have caused disruptions at civilian ports, airports, and across surface transportation networks. These incidents result in delays, traffic jams, and heightened safety risks across roadways, railways, and waterways. CARNATIONS aims to transform infrastructure and technology to ensure U.S. transportation systems remain resilient to current and future interference and cyber threats, including those targeting automated systems.

 

As the threat of PNT and V2X interference grows, addressing these issues is essential for the future of safer, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective transportation systems. In parallel, CARNATIONS is committed to supporting underserved communities through outreach and education, as well as fostering evidence-based policymaking. The center is dedicated to developing standards and best practices to promote the responsible use of PNT in transportation.

​

Research Focus​

​

• CARNATIONS pursues a three-pillar research strategy aimed at toughening, augmenting, and protecting PNT systems for multi-modal surface transportation.

​

• Toughen PNT: Develop advanced GNSS receiver and antenna technologies to strengthen PNT against interference.

​

• Augment PNT: Integrate non-GNSS sensors (e.g., inertial navigation systems, odometry, LiDAR, vision), and leverage signals from multiple GNSS providers, terrestrial RF, and V2X communications.

​

• Protect PNT: Implement solutions for radio frequency interference (RFI) detection, tracking, and mitigation using V2X connectivity, crowdsourced data, and community information.

​

Education and Workforce Development

​

Resilient PNT systems are emerging as crucial in transportation engineering and planning. CARNATIONS addresses this need through a dedicated program designed to prepare the next generation of transportation professionals in R-PNT technologies. The Center places a strong emphasis on outreach to first-generation college students and professionals.

​

CARNATIONS’ Engineering Research Toolkit (ERT) framework facilitates student exchanges across partner institutions and offers hands-on research opportunities with experienced mentors, helping students gain critical skills in R-PNT.

​

Technology Transfer

​

CARNATIONS’ institutions have long-standing records of developing and transferring R-PNT solutions to public agencies and industry. By leading and participating in international PNT standardization committees, CARNATIONS ensures its research aligns with industry needs and global standards.

​

Why CARNATIONS?

​

CARNATIONS tackles one of the biggest challenges in modern transportation: the vulnerability of Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems to interference and cyber threats. With growing reliance on PNT across roadways, railways, and waterways, disruptions like jamming and spoofing can cause serious delays and safety risks.

​

CARNATIONS focuses on Resilient PNT (R-PNT) technologies to safeguard transportation systems against these threats. Through cutting-edge research, we are toughening, augmenting, and protecting PNT systems using advanced GNSS, alternative sensors like LiDAR, and V2X communications.

​

By partnering with industry and government, CARNATIONS ensures that innovations have real-world impact, while also training the next generation of transportation professionals to tackle these critical issues. We are committed to building a safer, more resilient transportation future.

​​

Our Funding

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), CARNATIONS is a Tier 1 University Transportation Center (UTC) dedicated to tackling one of today’s critical challenges: Growing cyber-physical risks impacting Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) in transportation. With support from the U.S. Department of Transportation, we are at the forefront of developing resilient solutions that protect and secure the future of transportation systems.

​

​