2012 National Rural ITS Conference & GRITS Annual Meeting

PRESS RELEASE September 26, 2012

BILOXI, MS – A very successful 2012 National Rural ITS Conference (NRITS) concluded last week. With over 300 attendees and 50+ vendors, the event was record‐setting in many ways. Not since 2004 have attendance levels surpassed the 300 mark with attendees coming from 40 states and two countries (Canada and Australia). Maybe it was the southern hospitality, the wide range of ITS topics or the excellent networking activities, but regardless of how you measure it, 2012 was a success!

As one of the oldest communities in the country, NRITS enjoyed the cultural melting pot, sandy beaches and other local amenities offered by Biloxi, Mississippi. The Opening Reception, held ocean‐side, was a celebration of the 3‐host states of Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. Participants enjoyed themed hors d’oeuvres that showcased the local flavor of the region.

Over 25 technical sessions and professional tours brought together traditional and non‐traditional ITS users to address rural safety, multi‐agency coordination, transit and other topics. In addition, training sessions were held for the National Transit Database and Integrated Corridor Management Deployment adding additional tools to attendees’ ITS toolboxes. As participants return home, they will be able to more effectively plan and deploy ITS technologies within their own jurisdictions.

Said participants, “Very good variety and the interweaving of safety topics with traditional ITS topics was of particular interest to me.” Another added, “I learned more than the usual at the various sessions.” If you would like to view presentations from this event as well as a final attendee list visit http://www.nritsconference.org/Proceedings2012.html.