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| COMMENTARY |
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| High-Tech Transportation: Key for Improving Safety, Efficiency and Return on Investment |
| BY SCOTT BELCHER President and CEO of ITS America |
States across the country are turning to high-tech solutions to solve their transportation challenges. You can bet that cash-strapped city and state governments aren’t embracing technology because of the “cool factor.” They recognize that we need to build smarter—using technology to connect transportation modes, expand traveler choices, and improve traffic management. They also recognize that technology is essential for getting the most out of our existing infrastructure, from roads and bridges to ports and transit systems.
One example gaining traction across the country is the use of smart traffic signals that change based on real-world conditions, which are shown to return $40 in time and fuel savings for every $1 invested. Private sector companies like INRIX are using technology to provide real-time traffic information that can be used by state and local agencies to manage their transportation systems more efficiently and reduce costs.
A U.S. GAO study found the benefit-cost ratio of a nationwide real-time traffic information system to be 25 to 1, with a $1.2 billion investment returning more than $30 billion in safety, mobility, and environmental benefits.
Another example is Salt Lake City’s MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system that uses transit signal priority, real-time bus location technology, advanced fare collection and a more efficient vehicle design to modernize the rider experience while keeping buses on schedule and improving efficiency. As a result, MAX BRT has increased ridership by a third, reduced travel times by 15 percent, and linked to Utah’s TRAX light-rail system to provide an efficient bus to rail connection.
From cars that avoid crashes, smarter highways like Seattle’s that help reduce traffic congestion, and sensors that provide real-time traffic, transit, and parking information, to stress-sensing bridges, electronic toll collection systems like E-ZPass, and weigh-in-motion truck inspection systems like PrePass, technology is critical for managing our transportation system, improving return on investment, and creating a safer, more user-friendly transportation experience. Unfortunately, while we are making great strides, our approach to deploying intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in the U.S. has been piecemeal at best. Other countries are passing us by when it comes to incorporating technology throughout their transportation system to improve safety, cut down on congestion, and save money—from Japan’s Smartway system to Stockholm’s state-of-the-art congestion pricing network.
When cities and states want to bring those innovations here, they too often have to visit other countries to see how it’s done. As President Obama recently pointed out in the State of the Union, it is time for the United States to reclaim its role as innovation leader. Our transportation infrastructure is a great place to start.
The good news is that we do have pockets of innovation here today, and many of our members at ITS America and at APTA are leading the charge for more widespread adoption of intelligent transportation solutions. Ford, GM, and other automotive leaders are working collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Transportation to pioneer connected vehicles that talk to each other to avoid crashes. Companies like IBM are propelling us toward a future of “smarter cities” that make better use of technology to connect and manage their infrastructure, from the transportation and telecommunications networks to utilities and the energy grid.
What these and other ITS solutions share in common is also the reason they are supported by both the administration and the new class in Congress—they help save money.
In an era where governments at all levels must do more with less, investing in technology ensures that we build a system that is safe, efficient and compatible with a 21st century world. A modern transportation network based on the best available technology is critical for keeping our people and economy moving.
Congress and the administration have an opportunity this year to pass a new multi-year transportation reauthorization bill that not only works to maintain our current transportation infrastructure, but leverages private sector investment and innovative technologies to improve safety, cut congestion, reduce costs, and meet the demands of future generations.
This is one opportunity we cannot afford to miss.
About the Intelligent Transportation Society of America
ITS America is the leading advocate for transportation technology development and deployment in the United States. Members include private companies and industry leaders, government agencies at all levels, universities and research laboratories. For more information, visit www.itsa.org.
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