After five days of meeting to discuss the future of transportation in
the United States, major policy makers and industry officials agree that
intelligent transportation systems (ITS) will be the key to improving
travel efficiency and safety, as well as the economy.
During an interview on Wednesday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood said that intelligent transportation is "the next generation for
technology and safety." He added, "This will create thousands of jobs
when these technologies really become available."
The World Congress showcased "connected vehicle" technology which allows
cars to communicate with the roadway and each other. During his remarks
to the delegates, Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr.
said, "We need to view the automobile as one element of a transportation
ecosystem and look for new ways to optimize the entire system. We need
cars that can communicate with each other and also with the world around
them to make driving safer and more efficient." He spoke about his
vision of vehicles being connected to the cloud and said that the
"connection revolution has begun."
According to U.S. DOT estimates, "connected vehicle" technology has the
potential to address a staggering 81 percent of all unimpaired
driver-related crash scenarios. National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) Administrator David Strickland attended the World
Congress and in an issued statement said that, "With its potential to
save lives and prevent injuries, connected vehicle technology could be a
real game-changer for vehicle safety."
House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee Chairman John
Mica (R-FL) agreed adding, "We've got to look at a whole new way of
financing transportation and we've also got to get more bang for our
buck. And the thousands of delegates that have come from around the
United States and the world with intelligent transportation system(s)
are part of the solution, because there are many ways in which you can
increase the traffic flow, the efficiency, not only on the ground, but
in the air and on rail by using intelligent transportation methods."
Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters echoed Mica's
sentiments saying, "We shouldn't tolerate our transportation system not
serving us well. We're not getting nearly the efficiency and
effectiveness out of our system today that we could when we fully
implement intelligent transportation solutions."
The World Congress took place in Orlando, FL this week with thousands of
manufacturers, government agencies and ITS advocates attending the event
to network and identify critical solutions that will help solve the
congestion, safety and high-cost of road travel in the United States.
Attendees witnessed the future of road transportation through hundreds
of exhibits and an outdoor Technology Showcase featuring 25 live
demonstrations of "connected vehicles" and other technologies. The event
also featured a stellar lineup of speakers including National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Deborah Hersman, General
Motors Vice President of Global R&D Alan Taub and Florida Governor Rick
Scott.
Download broadcast/print quality video, sound bites, photos &
releases from the event at: http://www.itsworldcongress.org/presscenter.html
