For Immediate Release
October 19, 2011
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U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Says Intelligent Transportation’s Safety Technology will Put People Back to Work
LaHood emphasized transportation safety and the importance of putting Americans back to work rebuilding the country’s transportation infrastructure
Media note: Broadcast/print quality video and photos of Secretary LaHood's appearance at the ITS World Congress are available at: http://www.itsworldcongress.org/presscenter.html
Orlando FL, October 19, 2011 – Today in Orlando, FL, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood addressed delegates at the 18th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, boldly speaking of the importance of putting Americans back to work by rebuilding the nation’s transportation infrastructure and implementing intelligent transportation. Noting that many of the country’s roads and bridges are in need of refurbishing, LaHood said “Our transportation systems are overburdened and fast becoming obsolete.”
LaHood promoted the American Jobs Act, speaking of President Obama’s directive to identify and fast-track high impact job creating infrastructure projects. Emphasizing that the country cannot miss the opportunity to put Americans back to work while improving safe travel, he said “Standing still is no way to maintain what used to be the world’s best transportation system.”
Following his presentation, LaHood referenced the show’s focus on developing the next generation of transportation technology and safety, saying “What intelligent transportation does is it’s the next generation for technology and safety. What is does is make driving safer and will allow people to go places much safer. This will create thousands of jobs when these technologies really become available.”
Held once every three years in the United States, this international exhibition features cutting-edge transportation solutions and is expected to draw more than 8,000 delegates from more than 65 countries, including legislators, ministers of transportation, transportation officials, international standards experts, engineers, manufacturers, and other ITS stakeholders. They will all gather with the goal of bringing greater levels of safety, reliability and accessibility to transportation systems worldwide.
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About World Congress
The World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems is an international meeting and exhibition that rotates among three major geographic regions (Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific) annually. Only held in the United States once every three years, the 18th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, combined with ITS America’s 2011 Annual Meeting & Exposition, will come to Orlando, Florida on October 16-20, 2011, and the world’s leading transportation policy makers, technology, and business professionals will gather in Orlando with a goal of bringing greater levels of safety, reliability and accessibility to transportation systems worldwide.
Co-sponsored by ITS America, ITS Asia-Pacific, and ERTICO-ITS Europe, the 18th World Congress is expected to draw more than 10,000 delegates from more than 65 countries, including legislators, ministers of transportation, transportation officials, international standards experts, engineers, manufacturers, and other ITS stakeholders.
About the Intelligent Transportation Society of America
ITS America was established in 1991 as a not-for-profit organization to foster the use of advanced technologies across America’s surface transportation system. As the leading advocate for transportation technology development and deployment in the United States, ITS America has several hundred member organizations including private companies and industry leaders, government agencies at all levels, universities and research laboratories. For more information, visit www.itsa.org.