Explaining International IT Application Leadership: Intelligent Transportation Systems

Until now, most advances in transportation relied on physical materials—more cement and steel. But going forward significant progress in surface transportation will depend increasingly on making the system more intelligent, through the use of sensors, computers and communication technology. In short, IT can play a key role in the safety, efficiency and convenience of transportation, including for cars, trucks and mass transit. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) include on-board, real-time traffic and transit information, new types of road pricing, adaptive traffic signal timing, and better safety warning systems.

Many nations have recognized the importance of ITS and as such made significant progress in deploying ITS to improve their transportation systems. Unfortunately, the United States trails world leaders in the deployment of ITS, mitigating the ability of these emerging technologies to enhance safety, mobility, and convenience for American motorists.

In this event, ITIF releases a new report, Explaining International Leadership in Intelligent Transportation Systems, which will identify the leading countries in intelligent transportation systems, explain why the leaders have made the progress they have (and conversely why the United States lags so far behind), and offer recommendations for how federal and state governments can accelerate the deployment of intelligent transportation systems.

This will be the third in a series of five ITIF events that will explore international IT application leadership.