Intelligent transportation systems

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report, Sept. 14, on the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) program that Congress established in 1991. Traffic congestion is costly both to the nation's economy and its quality of life. ITS seeks to use electronic and computer technologies to improve traffic flow. In 1996 the Secretary of Transportation envisioned that the 75 largest metropolitan areas would deploy a complete ITS infrastructure by 2005. GAO finds that progress has been made but there are limitations to DOT's goal and measures and ITS's impact on congestion.

Highway Congestion: Intelligent Transportation Systems' Promise for Managing Congestion Falls Short, and DOT Could Better Facilitate Their Strategic Use

Full report (PDF, 1.35MB, 69p.)
Highlights (PDF, 80K, 1p.)
Both from GAO