The Transportation Research Board defines intelligent transport systems technologies as a network of systems and technology that can forecast future traffic congestion, reliably provide a scheduling algorithm to manage traffic conditions in real-time, and re-propose congestion pricing.
Why is this so important? Well, congestion doesn’t just stop at the border of a city or highway. It starts that the very first traffic block you pass on your way to work or home. By employing intelligent transportation systems, one can avoid these backups and stand delays that cause stress and frustration.
The transportation challenges we face today require us to consider the impact of new technologies and their potential effects on our roads, freeways, and bridges. When new technologies are implemented, they must be carefully examined for potential impacts on our vital public infrastructure.
The most obvious effect of new intelligent transport system technologies like Automatic Number Plate Recognition or ALPR is reducing the volume of traffic. In the future, there will be very few, if any, traffic jams in major urban areas due to the advent of highly intelligent LIDAR-based autonomous vehicles. With all the available data about traffic jams, there is no doubt that human interventions will become a thing of the past. Automobile companies such as Mercedes, Volvo, and others have already announced plans to use LIDAR for their new car models. In the United States, General Motors has already started using an upgraded version of its Smart Car feature with an anticipated lifespan of approximately twenty years.
Of course, this will have an important impact on the car market segments, especially the high-end luxury segment, where driving experience is much more demanding than in the general population segment. This is why many auto manufacturers are focusing more on high-end luxury cars, as they are expecting strong sales in that segment over the coming years. However, the introduction of highly intelligent transport systems may also impact the car manufacturers’ lower-end segments. At present, consumers are not so concerned about advanced artificial intelligence. They are more concerned about getting a good deal on the price tag attached to the car.
In addition, using the latest Intelligent Transport system technologies will allow road users to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, thus helping the environment. This means that the ROI created through better road safety and reduced fuel consumption can help in reducing the overall cost of implementing intelligent transportation systems.