WASHINGTON, D.C., September 11, 2008 - The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) announces a call for entries for the 2008 Student Essay Competition, sponsored by Southwest Research Institute®. ITS America's Student Essay Competition is designed to encourage student interest and future participation in the development of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). Three winners will be honored at the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems in New York City, November 16-20, 2008.

"Southwest Research Institute is proud to challenge today's transportation and systems engineering students to apply their knowledge in this thought-provoking competition to encourage forward-thinking ITS solutions," said Dr. Steven W. Dellenback, ITS Department Director, Southwest Research Institute. "As a leader in the ITS research and development arena, we are pleased to support this ITS America initiative to foster and encourage the intelligent transportation specialists of the future."

Essays will be judged on their creativity, quality of exposition, originality, depth of knowledge and awareness of ITS issues and challenges. Both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to participate.

The winners will receive complimentary registration, airfare and accommodations to attend the 15th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems. The winners will present their essays to the ITS community during the conference's Research, Integration, Training and Education Forum Showcase.

For the list of topics and entry guidelines, visit http://www.itsworldcongress.org/student-essay-competition.html. The deadline for entries is 5 p.m. (EST) on September 30, 2008.

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