(NAPSI)—Many of our transportation systems are operating at or near capacity, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Butthe increasing use of advanced surface transportation technologies offers officials better ways to manage growth, and offers travelers more choices and more safety, according to the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America).
“We believe the top 10 trends in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) hold the keys to saving lives, time and money as we travel,” says Brent Bair, managing director, Road Commission for Oakland County in Michigan, and a member of ITS America’s Board of Directors. The list reflects ITS America’s professional assessment in this area.
Here’s what to watch for:
511
Dialing 511 soon will provide access from anywhere in the nation to local information on traffic, transit schedules and weather conditions. Goal: easy access to traveler information.
Telematics
Wireless links to vehicles will provide drivers with traffic conditions, concierge services, dynamic routing, and voice activated Internet access. Goal: more availability of real-time information.
Collision-avoidance technologies
An electronic cocoon will surround vehicles and alert drivers to potentially dangerous situations on the highways and at intersections. Goal: save lives.
Human/machine interface
Design of telematics features or safety-related alerts will be guided by solid human-factors research. Goal: avoid driver distraction.
Public safety
Transportation, fire, police, and emergency medical services staff will share timely information. Goal: resolve traffic incidents faster.
Trip planning
Scheduling information for all transportation carriers will lead to one call for reservations—including for parking spaces. Goal: increase multi-modal options.
Data gathering
Roads and cars together will transmit transportation data on the level of congestion. Goal: regularly updated traffic-related information.
Data sharing
Vehicles equipped with automatic crash notification will be able to send post-accident data directly to emergency responders. Goal: provide faster response to accidents.
Privacy principles
An opt-in standard will guide the collection of personally identifiable traveler information and an opt-out standard will guide the collection of anonymous information. Goal: peace of mind.
Standards
Backed by a common technical approach, similar ITS products and services can be used across the country. Goal: what works in one place will work in another.
“Our vision is of a future where enormous improvements in technology are used to transform the transportation of people and goods and the quality of our lives,” says, Bair.
ITS America is an educational and scientific public-private partnership of 600 member organizations promoting the use of advanced technologies in surface transportation. For additional information on intelligent transportation systems, contact: ITS America, Suite 800, 400 Virginia Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024-2730, call (202) 484-4581, or visit the ITS America Web site at http://www.itsa.org.
