Intelligent Transportation Systems: Incorporating the Consumer Proceedings from an Interactive Workshop
Carol A. Lewis, Texas Southern University, May 1999, 89 pp. (467602-1)
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) techniques are improving mobility for travelers throughout the nation and world. To date, ITS has largely been the focus of professionals who are applying innovative methods to complicated traffic and travel information needs in their communities. Consumers utilize these breaking technologies, often with little notice or understanding of the systems underlying their more convenient travel. For example, up-to-the-minute weather and safety information are available to commuters in most states allowing travelers to modify routes and travel times before being inconvenienced during their trip. Travelers in Colorado receive emissions reading that encourage improved air quality. Transit riders in Virginia have more reliable bus schedule information through an “electronic village.”
Despite ITS advances, recent journal articles and conferences stress the difficulty of gaining broad support from elected officials and the general public for ITS. Developing processes and building a support base of elected officials and community planners are important to continue ITS deployment and implementation. This document provides a summary of an ITS conference focused on the roles of consumers, ITS and Transportation professionals and community decision makers. This document also includes some the projects that reflect the range of possibilities utilizing ITS.
Keywords: Intelligent Transportation Systems, Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure, Traveler Information, Real-Time Information, Technology