ITS: 'We Could Be Doing Much Better'

Why has so much investment in ITS technology produced so little progress in terms of improved system performance?

September 5, 2004, 5am PDT | Chris Steins | @urbaninsight

"The majority of transportation systems are being managed in the same manner as they were managed for the past 20 years." While this may be true, there could also be another explanation: well-intentioned but simplistic ITS advocacy has raised unrealistic expectations concerning the potential of ITS technology to improve transportation system performance.

The latest example of overblown ITS rhetoric is the vision of "zero fatalities/zero delays" a slogan which calls for "elimination of transportation fatalities, injuries and delays through effective use of technology," (ITS America News Release dated April 26, 2004). We must "make a commitment to eliminating, not reducing, transportation fatalities, injuries and delays," the announcement stated (emphasis added). Can any one take this pledge seriously?"

Thanks to Chris Steins

Full Story:

ITS: "We Could Be Doing Much Better"

Published on Saturday, September 4, 2004 in Innovation Briefs