ISTEA authorized $660 million for the development of ITS, which involves the
integration of advanced technologies to alleviate congestion and to improve all aspects
of highway safety, productivity, and air quality. The essence of ITS is the use of information
technology, including hardware, software, electronics, controls, and communications.
In 1992, a strategic plan was formulated to guide the development of these
technologies over the next 20 years. Among the areas of application envisioned are the
integration of the management of various roadway functions, such as freeway ramp
monitoring and signal control. Collection of real-time data will permit the rerouting of
drivers around accident sites, thus reducing costs of traffic congestion, and also provide
information to travelers regarding road and weather conditions and trip planning. It will
also provide collision warning systems and develop new automated highways. The
applications will be extended to commercial vehicles, public transportation, and transport
needs of rural areas. In each of these cases, information technology will be used for
automatic vehicle identification, route information, and fare collection. Many experiments
and demonstrations of ITS technology are being undertaken that will result in
new ways of managing and operating our nation’s transportation system.