FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2010
CONTACT: DAVID GOLDBERG,
202-412-7930
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EMILY FISHKIN, (202) 721-4204
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NEW REPORT SHOWS HOW SMART TECHNOLOGY CAN
EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, IMPROVE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS AND
STRENGTHEN GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS
Case studies here and abroad showcase how savvy
investment in the upcoming federal transportation bill can help the
U.S. save money while reclaiming economic
competitiveness
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new
report from
four leading transportation organizations demonstrates how existing
and emerging technologies can squeeze more capacity from
over-burdened highways, help commuters avoid traffic delays and
expand and improve transportation options, all while saving money
and creating jobs.
"Smart Mobility for a 21st Century America"
shows why improving efficiency through technology is critical as
our population grows and ages, budgets tighten and consumer
preferences shift. The report was co-authored by Transportation for
America, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS
America), the Association for Commuter Transportation (ACT) and the
University of Michigan SMART Initiative.
With President Obama's support for a $50 billion down
payment for infrastructure and the real prospect that Congress will
move forward on a comprehensive, multi-year transportation bill in
the upcoming session, the paper makes the case for investing in
technology and innovation to help solve our nation's most critical
transportation problems.
The new report was released today in conjunction with
the IBM Smarter Transportation Virtual Forum, which brought
together experts from across the public sector, private industry
and academia to discuss urban mobility and the growing need for
technology solutions to the nation's transportation, economic and
environmental challenges.
"We have a unique opportunity to shape the direction of
transportation policy for years to come, which is why this report
is so important," said Transportation for America Director James
Corless. "We can harness technology and tap America's creative
potential to get a better bang for our buck and ensure the
transportation options Americans rely on are available and
affordable in the coming decades."
"As public agencies are being asked to do more with
less, investing in smart technology is critical for improving
system efficiency, optimizing the public's return on investment,
and creating a more connected transportation network," said ITS
America President and CEO Scott Belcher. "Congress and President
Obama have the opportunity next year to put the U.S. back on the
road to global competitiveness and economic prosperity by investing
in a more intelligent 21st century transportation
system."
Studies have shown that intelligent transportation
systems (ITS) and other smart technologies are cost effective and
quick to deploy, with solutions like synchronized and adaptive
traffic signals yielding a $40 return in time and fuel savings for
every $1 invested while also reducing CO2 emissions up
to 22 percent and travel delays by 25 percent or more. The
Government Accountability Office 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.
In addition, researchers from the London School of
Economics and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
found that investing in ITS creates a network effect throughout the
economy and stimulates job creation across multiple sectors,
including green jobs, high-tech, automotive, information
technology, electronics, and other industries.
While improvements to vehicles and cleaner fuels are the
most talked-about technological innovations, many smart
technologies are being deployed today to improve system efficiency
and reduce travel delays, provide more convenient access to
transportation alternatives, and even customize routes based on
real-time traffic conditions and individual travel preferences to
keep people and businesses moving on schedule. The paper groups
these innovations into five categories:
- Making transportation systems more efficient and cost-effective
- Providing more travel options and multimodal connectivity
- Providing travelers with real-time, accurate transportation system information
- Making pricing and payments more convenient and efficient
- Avoiding unnecessary trips and time wasted in traffic
"It is critical for the future of our nation's
transportation policy to foster projects and programs that collect
and disseminate information to the public in a timely and easily
accessible fashion," said Brian Shaw, President of ACT. "The result
is a transportation system that is safer and provides more options
for system users."
"Investing in next generation transportation
infrastructure makes sense. It connects and optimizes new
transportation technologies, services, modes, and design, offering
Americans more livability, sustainability, and hip factor for less
money. It also lays the foundation for leadership, major business
opportunity, and green job creation in the emerging global New
Mobility industry," said Sue Zielinski, Managing Director of SMART
at the University of Michigan.
The report contains a series of case studies that
demonstrate how these technologies have already been applied to
real-world transportation challenges. The report also offers policy
recommendations as Congress and the Obama Administration consider a
comprehensive transportation bill. These include providing
incentives and dedicated funding for states and regions to adopt
smart technology solutions to make system more efficient, offering
competitive grants to stimulate innovation, and having the federal
government play a role in disseminating the latest research and
best practices.
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TRANSPORTATION FOR AMERICA
(T4) is the largest, most diverse
coalition working on transportation reform today. Our nation's
transportation network is based on a policy that has not been
significantly updated since the 1950's. We believe it is time for a
bold new vision - transportation that guarantees our freedom to
move however we choose and leads to a stronger economy, greater
energy security, cleaner environment, and healthier America for all
of us. We're calling for more responsible investment of our federal
tax dollars to create a safer, cleaner, smarter transportation
system that works for everyone.
www.t4america.org
The Intelligent Transportation Society of
America (ITS America) is a
non-profit association that represents more than 400 member
organizations including public agencies, private corporations, and
academic institutions involved in the research, development, and
deployment of technologies that improve safety, increase mobility,
strengthen the economy, and sustain the
environment.