Why GAO Did This Study
Traffic congestion burdens the nation’s quality of life and will likely grow substantially if current trends continue. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are a range of technologies that can reduce congestion at less cost than some other approaches. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) is responsible for promoting and supporting the use of ITS in coordination with other modal administrations, including the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Since 1994, DOT has overseen the allocation and expenditure of more than $3 billion for deploying and researching ITS. GAO was asked to address (1) the current and emerging uses of ITS technologies by state and local governments, (2) the challenges these governments face in using ITS, and (3) the extent to which DOT’s efforts to promote and support ITS address these challenges and follow leading practices. To conduct this work GAO visited four sites, and interviewed and analyzed documents and data from DOT and state and local transportation officials, ITS experts, and other stakeholders.
 
What GAO Recommends
GAO recommends that the Secretary of Transportation clearly define the roles of RITA and FHWA in promoting the use of ITS, improve the usefulness of ITS information on the agencies’ websites, and include in its strategy plans to further enhance communication on ITS activities. DOT reviewed a draft of this report, said it would consider our recommendations, and provided technical comments.
 

Strategic Investments Make a Difference
Download the Executive Summary and Technical Report of the 2012 National Traffic Signal Report Card at http://www.ite.org/reportcard/.
 

USDOT April 26, 2012
 
DOT's Research and Innovation Technology Administration knows that innovation can make our transportation system smarter and greener.  And today, Acting Administrator Greg Winfree was in Arizona with Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) Intelligent Transportation System engineers and University of Arizona researchers to showcase their latest efforts to make intersections with traffic signals safer for emergency responders and the general public.
 
Read the full blog post at fastlane.dot.gov

ITS Arizona is currently seeking volunteers to serve on a 2012-2013 committee. Email info@itsaz.org if you have any questions or are interested in serving on a committee.
 
Technical Committee - Coordinates 3 technical sessions per year
 
Conference Related Committees:
Program Committee - Selects and coordinates all of the conference presentations, keynote speaker, and lunch speaker
Logistics Committee - Selects venue, catering, audio video, booth set up, drayage services
Sponsors/Exhibitors Committee - Research, email, and call possible exhibitors or sponsors