USDOT'S ITS PROGRAM - MAJOR INITIATIVES -- 2004

Introduction

As highway deaths continue to rise (43,000 in 2003) and growing traffic congestion robs Americans of time and money, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) program is launching a new generation of initiatives aimed at improving transportation safety, relieving congestion and enhancing productivity.

These initiatives reflect an ongoing recognition of the potential of ITS technologies to significantly enhance the operation of America’s transportation systems. In order to maximize that potential the ITS Management Council, which is comprised of senior leadership of the USDOT, conducted a multi-year review of the ITS program to determine its future direction and focus. As part of this review, the Council adopted a list of criteria it used to evaluate possible new initiatives. The criteria included an emphasis on identifiable outcomes, performance schedules, private sector partnerships and return on investment. Upon completion of the review, the Council chose nine major initiatives to comprise the centerpiece of the ITS program. These new initiatives were announced by Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Transportation Policy and Director of Intermodalism Emil Frankel at the 2004 ITS America Annual Meeting. While these initiatives are still under development, this document provides additional detail on each of the initiatives.

Now into its second decade, the USDOT’s ITS program is well positioned to build on the accomplishments generated by previous research and operational tests. The Management Council’s new initiatives are on an important step in the continuing evolution of the ITS program and will contribute to strengthening the role of ITS in transportation safety, mobility and productivity. The new initiatives adopted by the Management Council are:

Each of these ITS technology-based initiatives presents an opportunity to dramatically improve transportation safety and mobility in America. In each, there is a clearly defined federal role as well as involvement and partnership with others in the public and private sectors. Obviously, the completion of these initiatives is dependent on the ultimate passage of the program’s reauthorizing legislation and the funding.

In addition to identifying the nine new initiatives, USDOT’s ITS Management Council reaffirmed its commitment to bring five ongoing ITS initiatives to a successful completion: