Transportation Technologies (NAPSA)—Many of our trans- portation systems are operating at or near capacity, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. But the imcreasing use of advanced surface transportation technologies offers officials better ways to manage growth, and offers travelers more choices and more safety, according to the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America). “We believe the top 10 trends in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) hold the keys to saving lives, time and money as we travel,” says Brent Bair, managing director, Road Commission for Oakland County in Michigan, and a member of ITS America’s Board of Directors. The list reflects ITS America’s professional assessment im this area. Fere’s what to watchfor: Bil Pnaling 611 scon will provide access from anywhere in the nation te local information on traffic, transit schedules and weather conditions. Goal: easy access to traveler information. Telematics Wireless links to vehicles will provide drivers with traffic conditions, concierge services, dynamic routing, and voice activated Internet access. Goal: more availability of real-timeinformation. Collision-aveidance technologies An electronic cocoon will surround vehicles and alert drivers to potentially dangerous situations on the highways and at intersections. Goak savelives. Human/machine interface Design of telematics features or safety-related alerts will be guided by solid human-factors research. Geal: avoid driver distraction. Public safety Transportation, fire, police, and emergency medical services staff will share timely information. Goal: resclve traffic incidents faster. Trip planning Scheduling information for all transportation carriers will lead to one call for reservations—including for parking spaces. Goal: imcrease multi-modal options. Data gathering Roads and cars tegether will transrait transportation data on the level of congestion. Goal: regularly updated traffic-related information. Data sharing Vehicles equipped with automatic erash notification will be able to send post-aceident data chrectly to emergency responders. Goal: provide faster response to accidents. Privacyprinciples An opt-in standard will guide he collection of personally identifiahle traveler information and an opt-out standard will guide the collection of anonymous informa- tion. Goal: peace of mind. Standards Backed by a common technical approach, similar ITS products and services can be used across he country. Goal: what works in one place will work in another. “Onur vision is of a future where enormous improvements in tech- nology are used to transform the transportation of people and goods and the quality of our lives,” says Bair. ITS America is an educational and scientific public-private partnership of 600 rember organizations promoting the use of advanced technologies in surface transportation. For additional information on intelligent transportation systems, contact: ITS America, Suite 800, 400 Virginia Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20024- 2730, call (202) 484-4581, or visit the ITS America Web site at http://www.itsa.ore.
