ITS Benefits:Examples

  • Freeway Management Systems have three basic functions: monitoring and control of highway operations, and communication of information to motorists. To cite just one example, a study of the ramp metering/freeway management system in Seattle, Washington, showed a 38% reduction in accident rates, and a 10% to 100% growth in traffic volume on some segments of area freeways, although speeds remained unchanged.

     
  • Surface street management includes surveillance and signal timing optimization. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) estimates that traffic signal improvements have led to 8%-25% reductions in travel time (M. Meyer). Derived benefits include lessened emissions and fuel consumptions. For instance, the Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control Program in Los Angeles, CA, a computerized signal control system including about 1200 intersections and 4500 detectors for signal timing optimization, reported a 13% decrease in fuel consumption, a 14% decrease in emissions, a 41% reduction in vehicle stops, an 18% reduction in travel time, a 16% increase in average speed, and a 44% decrease in delay (City of Los Angeles Department of Transportation).

     
  • Transit management A 1996 analysis report predicts that benefits deriving from the application of Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) technologies will total between $3.8 billion and $7.4 billion in discounted 1996 dollars in the next few years (D. Goeddel). APTS also provides enhanced safety to passengers through remote monitoring of vehicle status and passenger activity. AVL and CAD technologies help operators adhere to the schedule, and improve schedule activities.


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