America’s transportation system is facing significant challenges that must be addressed in the next surface transportation authorization bill, from financing our transportation system and reducing traffic fatalities to combating congestion and CO2 emissions. Solving these challenges will require transportation agencies and private sector partners to use all of the tools at their disposal, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), related technologies, and multimodal operational strategies that can help prevent accidents before they happen, reduce traffic congestion and freight bottlenecks, provide more effective incident and emergency response, reduce energy use and emissions, and enable innovative 21st century financing options.

 

 

Preventing Accidents Before they Happen and Improving Emergency Response – Before the day is over 110 people will die on U.S. roads, the equivalent of a 737 airliner crashing every afternoon. In addition to the tragic human cost, the economic impact of these 40,000 annual fatalities and 2.5 million injuries exceeds $230 billion each year. The public and private sectors have invested billions of dollars in measures to protect drivers and passengers from the impact of crashes and to influence driver behavior.

 

The next giant leap in reducing fatalities and injuries is to jumpstart the widespread deployment of vehicle collision avoidance systems and other smart technologies that can help drivers and operators detect dangerous situations and avoid accidents before they happen.

 

In addition, in-vehicle telematics and communications systems like Next Generation 911 and Emergency Vehicle Preemption are helping emergency personnel respond more effectively when accidents do occur, and ITS-enabled solutions are being used routinely to manage transportation systems more effectively during high-traffic situations such as hurricane evacuations, planned events including the Presidential Inauguration and major sporting activities, and catastrophic events like the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

 

Reducing Traffic Gridlock – The average rush-hour commuter spends nearly a full work week stuck in traffic each year, time that could be spent at a ballgame or around the dinner table with family, at a barbeque with friends, or volunteering in your community. Traffic congestion in major metropolitan areas alone costs our economy more than $78 billion each year in lost travel time and fuel, not to mention its harmful impacts on economic productivity, the environment, and its contribution to dangerous and frustrating driving conditions. Allowing traffic to grind our cities to a halt every morning and afternoon is unacceptable when we have tools available to manage our transportation system and utilize our infrastructure more effectively.

 

Active traffic management and incident response systems, intelligent traffic signals, smart transit systems, congestion pricing, weigh-in-motion truck inspections, electronic tolling, ramp metering, real-time traffic information and navigational systems, high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes, and Bus Rapid Transit are among the technology-enabled solutions available to help reduce traffic gridlock, provide drivers and operators with more efficient highways and travel options, and improve the reliability of goods and services.

 

Preserving the Environment – The transportation sector is responsible for almost one third of all U.S. CO2 emissions, while also contributing significantly to our nation’s oil dependence. In addition to alternative fuel solutions, technologies and strategies are available that can improve the fuel efficiency of vehicles, reduce traffic gridlock and other emissions-generating conditions such as poorly timed traffic signals, reduce unnecessary truck idling, facilitate shifts to transit and other transportation modes, and provide real-time information to commuters about the most fuel efficient routes and “green driving” strategies. Transportation has a significant impact on energy and the environment, but smart technologies and strategies can help save fuel, reduce emissions, and preserve our environment for future generations.

 

Financing the Future of Transportation – The estimated cost to modernize and maintain our nation’s infrastructure and provide safe, efficient multimodal transportation services far exceeds the revenues generated by the fuel-tax based financing system. Innovative financing mechanisms including increased private sector investment are needed to maintain our current infrastructure and create a smart transportation system that will be safer, cleaner, more efficient, and more globally competitive. States should be empowered to employ innovative strategies and financing methods that will provide financial sustainability while improving system performance, including improved flexibility to pursue tolling and pricing systems, public-private partnerships, and potentially a vehicle miles traveled (VMT)-based user charge. Open road tolling and VMT user fees can be implemented effectively using ITS solutions including GPS-based systems, electronic toll tags, and real-time traffic data. In addition, a portion of any revenues generated from a cap and trade program should be used to finance efficient transportation projects including ITS and transit.

 

Creating Jobs and Strengthening the Economy – Our nation is facing economic challenges unlike any in recent memory. In additional to reducing traffic congestion and improving safety and productivity, investing in ITS will create jobs across numerous industries including the high-tech, automotive, engineering, information technology, manufacturing, and environmental sectors. According to U.S. Department of Transportation, an average of 50 percent of ITS project funding is spent on direct labor as compared to 20 percent for new highway construction, multiplying the economic benefits of ITS investments. ITS projects can be deployed quickly and cost-effectively to put Americans to work building our nation’s future.

 

Download Full Document: "ITS America’s “Intelligent Solutions to America’s Transportation Challenges” - PDF 

ITS America's Advocacy Contact: Paul Feenstra, Vice President of Government Affairs, pfeenstra@itsa.org, 202-721-4237