The Intelligent Solution

The public wants improved transportation with enhanced safety and improved emergency response. We want advance information - especially about road and weather conditions. We want public transportation to be more available, but also more cost-effective. And we want to preserve mobility and accessibility throughout the region even in the face of growing congestion. Part of the solution to these needs is the use of technology-based transportation solutions that make better use our roads and our time. Intelligent Transportation Systems offer a dramatic shift in our thinking about how we use our transportation systems. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are a collection of technologies, systems, and transportation management concepts that collectively work to make transportation more efficient and safer. More specifically, ITS technologies can: Support better emergency response times and services, even in rural areas Improve the productivity of public transportation by using automated tracking and dispatch systems Collect and transmit information on traffic conditions and transit schedules for travelers before and during their trips. Alerted to hazards and delays, travelers can change their plans or take different routes to minimize inconvenience and reduce strain on the system. Mitigate congestion by reducing the number of traffic incidents, clearing them more quickly when they occur and rerouting traffic flow around them when appropriate Improve the productivity of commercial fleets by using automated tracking, dispatch and weigh-in-motion systems that speed vehicles through much of the paperwork typically associated with interstate commerce Assist drivers in reaching a desired destination with navigation systems enhanced with path finding or route guidance. These are just a few of the new capabilities being deployed in Washington State and across the nation. The complete list is lengthy and growing every day. In fact, the United States is in the midst of a massive buildup of transportation technologies funded by state and national Departments of Transportation. The future holds even more promise. From route specific traffic warnings beamed to cell phones and in-car navigation units, to multi-use transit smart cards and electronic toll tags, technology-based transportation solutions will continue to improve mobility and save lives throughout our region. The future is now!

The United States has 60,000 buses for public transit. Approximately 11,000 or more currently have Automated Vehicle Location devices that will allow control centers to determine their location, monitor their movement and adjust their schedules.