May 28, 2010
Contact: Emily Fishkin: (202) 721-4204 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WASHINGTON, DC - The American Power Act includes measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using the latest technologies to upgrade transportation infrastructure and improve system performance, according to ITS America President and CEO Scott F. Belcher.

In a letter to Senators John Kerry (D-MA) and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Belcher thanked the Senators for including more than $6 billion for transportation improvements, including transportation efficiency measures championed by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) and other sponsors of CLEAN TEA legislation that will help state and local agencies move forward with system operations improvements for roads and transit, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS) that will result in immediate and long-term greenhouse gas reductions.

According to Belcher, "ITS technologies save money by improving the efficiency of our highway, transit, and rail systems, and provide real benefits through congestion reduction, improved safety and access to transportation alternatives."

Noting that countries like Japan, Sweden and other innovation leaders are investing in ITS technologies as part of their strategy to meet GHG reduction goals, Belcher stressed that "the U.S. must make a similar commitment to technology if we are to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation while improving our economic competitiveness and quality of life."

While applauding the bill's focus on transportation efficiency, Belcher expressed concern over new fees on surface transportation system use and the dedication of the majority of the resulting revenue to activities unrelated to transportation. According to Belcher, "We believe that this would further undermine the ability to provide long-term funding for our transportation system, which is already inadequate to keep up with current maintenance and safety needs, let alone to support modernization efforts necessary for meeting future demands and promoting economic growth and social well being." The letter to Senators Kerry and Lieberman is available here.

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The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) represents several hundred member organizations including public agencies, private industry leaders, and academic institutions involved in the research, development, and deployment of technologies that improve safety, increase mobility, strengthen the economy, and sustain the environment.