Applications Of Intelligent Transportation System

The advent of modern technology has revolutionized traffic management, fostering

safer, more efficient and environmentally-friendly transportation
systems. Applying Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) is pivotal in
addressing critical issues like traffic congestion, road safety, and air pollution. ITS
leverages the power of advanced sensing, analysis, control, and communications
technologies to significantly enhance mobility, reduce accidents, and minimize
environmental impact. Through this, ITS contributes significantly to the realization
of a smarter, more sustainable urban infrastructure.

What Is Intelligent Transportation System?

An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) integrates advanced technologies like
computer networking, sensor technology, artificial intelligence, and IoT into
transportation infrastructures and vehicles to improve their efficiency, safety, and
performance. It’s a broad range of diverse technologies that collect, process,
disseminate, and utilize data to manage and control transportation systems, making
travel more efficient and safer.

ITS systems enable real-time data collection and sharing, facilitating quicker
decision-making for traffic management, emergency responses, and route planning.
They also play a significant role in smart city initiatives, aiming to reduce traffic
congestion, lower pollution levels, improve public transportation, and enhance the
overall quality of life for citizens. In essence, Intelligent Transportation Systems
are at the forefront of revolutionizing transportation and mobility in the 21st
century.
Applications Of Intelligent Transportation System
Before delving into the specific applications of Intelligent Transportation Systems,
it’s crucial to grasp the transformative impact that ITS can have on various facets
of transportation. They offer a comprehensive solution to many of the challenges
faced by today’s urban environments, from traffic management to environmental
conservation. Let’s take a closer look at how these systems are shaping the future
of transportation in cities around the world.

Emergency Vehicle Notification Systems

Emergency Vehicle Notification Systems, a remarkable application of ITS, work
by providing real-time alerts about the location and movement of emergency
vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, or police cars. This system significantly
improves response time in crisis situations by ensuring clear, unimpeded paths for
emergency vehicles.

For instance, the system can automatically relay information to traffic signals,
causing them to change in favor of the emergency vehicles. Not only does this
reduce the response time, but it also enhances safety by minimizing the risk of
collisions at intersections. An example of this in action is the Opticom™ Traffic
Signal Preemption System or the Emergency Vehicle Preemption
(EVP) deployed in many U.S. cities. The Opticom™ system uses GPS technology
to coordinate traffic signals and create clear travel paths for emergency vehicles,
thereby streamlining response times and enhancing road safety.

Lane Departure Warning Systems

Lane Departure Warning Systems (LDWS) represents another significant
application of Intelligent Transportation Systems, with the primary function of
preventing accidents caused by unintentional lane departures. By utilizing
advanced sensor technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms, this system can
accurately detect lane markings and monitor the vehicle’s position within these
markings.

For instance, if a vehicle inadvertently crosses lane markings without an activated

turn signal, LDWS generates an alert, such as a visual warning or steering wheel
vibration, to the driver, encouraging immediate corrective action. An example of
LDWS in action is seen in many modern vehicles, where these systems are
increasingly becoming standard safety features. Vehicle manufacturers
like Tesla, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz have integrated LDWS into their vehicle
safety systems, contributing to a decrease in lane departure related accidents, and
ultimately enhancing road safety.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) is yet another significant advancement made
possible by Intelligent Transportation Systems. Essentially, ACC is an intelligent
form of cruise control that adjusts the speed of the vehicle based on the traffic
situation ahead. Using sensors and radars, ACC maintains a safe and constant
distance between vehicles by automatically accelerating and decelerating based on
the speed of the car in front. This not only ensures a smoother, more comfortable
driving experience but also significantly enhances road safety by reducing the risk
of rear-end collisions.

A real-life example of ACC in operation can be seen in Tesla’s Autopilot feature.

This system, using advanced sensors and cameras, maintains a steady speed set by
the driver while also adjusting to the changing speed of the vehicle ahead. As such,
if the vehicle in front decelerates, the Autopilot system will automatically slow
down the Tesla, maintaining a safe distance. When the vehicle in front accelerates
or moves out of the lane, the Autopilot will speed up until it reaches the preset
speed, helping to facilitate a safer and more efficient driving experience.

Automatic Speed Enforcement

Automatic Speed Enforcement (ASE) can be mentioned as a quite common
application of ITS, particularly effective in promoting safer driving habits by
enforcing speed limits. In Europe, several countries utilize ASE systems
extensively as a cornerstone of their road safety strategies.

For instance, in France, the ASE system – known as the “radar automatique” –
has been in operation since 2003. Strategically installed at accident-prone
locations, these automated systems capture images of speeding vehicles, record
their speed, and automatically issue fines to the registered vehicle owners. The
system has played a significant role in decreasing the number of fatalities on
French roads.

In the UK, the ASE system known as “SPECS” operates over distance, tracking
average speed between two points, rather than the instantaneous speed. This
system encourages more consistent adherence to speed limits over longer distances
and has been effective in reducing the number of severe accidents on UK roads.

In the Netherlands, ASE systems are also frequently used in urban areas to ensure
adherence to city speed limits, contributing to a safer environment for both
motorists and pedestrians.
In all these cases, the use of ITS in ASE not only enhances road safety by reducing
speed-related accidents but also aids in traffic management, making European
roads safer and more efficient.

Transit Management
Transit ITS Services are pivotal in managing and improving public transportation
systems. These services utilize advanced technology to monitor, control, and
optimize transit operations, resulting in more efficient use of resources and
enhanced passenger experience. For instance, they enable real-time tracking of
buses, trains, or trams, facilitating more accurate schedule adherence and timely
updates to passengers.

Using ITS, transit agencies can also assess performance data, identify bottlenecks,
and implement necessary improvements. Notable examples include Computer-
Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) systems that help
in coordinating, dispatching, and tracking vehicles in real-time, respectively. These
technologies contribute significantly to improving the reliability and efficiency of
public transit, thereby promoting its use as a sustainable mode of transport.

Environmental Protection And Emission Reduction

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) also play a crucial role in environmental
protection and the reduction of harmful emissions. By optimizing traffic flow and
reducing congestion, ITS can significantly decrease fuel consumption and the
associated greenhouse gas emissions.
For instance, traffic management systems, such as Adaptive Traffic Signal Control,
can adjust signal timings based on real-time traffic conditions, diminishing
unnecessary idling at intersections, and thereby reducing vehicle emissions.

Furthermore, ITS applications such as Eco-Drive systems, which provide real-time

feedback to drivers about their driving behavior and fuel consumption, encourage
more fuel-efficient driving habits. For example, the Eco-Drive Indicator in Toyota
vehicles illuminates to show optimal driving conditions for fuel efficiency,
fostering environmentally friendly driving habits.

On a larger scale, ITS, when integrated with public transportation systems, can
improve service reliability, thereby promoting public transit use over private
vehicle use. This shift towards mass transit can significantly reduce the overall
carbon footprint of urban transportation.

In addition, the use of ITS in electric vehicle technology, such as charging station
networks and battery exchange systems, is essential in the widespread adoption of
electric vehicles. This not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also
significantly cuts back on greenhouse gas emissions.

In summary, ITS applications are pivotal in promoting greener, more sustainable

transportation, contributing significantly to environmental protection and emission
reduction.
What Future Technologies Await ITS Applications
As the technology continues to evolve, the future of Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS) promises even more innovative applications to enhance road safety,
efficiency, and sustainability. Here are some future technologies that hold
significant potential for ITS applications:

Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars, with their sophisticated sensor systems

and machine learning algorithms, represent the future of ITS. These vehicles can
communicate with each other and with the infrastructure to share real-time traffic
data, optimize routes, and prevent accidents.

Platooning: Also known as vehicle convoys, platooning involves the use of ITS to
connect multiple vehicles traveling in the same direction. The connected vehicles
can synchronize their movements, resulting in fuel efficiency and reduced traffic
congestion.

Smart Roads: Future ITS applications may include the development of intelligent
highways. These roads could possess embedded sensors and IoT devices to
monitor traffic and road conditions, providing real-time information to drivers and
traffic management centers.

Drone Delivery: ITS may play a significant role in managing and navigating
drone delivery systems in urban areas, ensuring efficient routing and safe
operation.
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication: This technology allows vehicles
to communicate with other vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure, providing an
extra layer of safety and efficiency in transportation.

Artificial Intelligence in Traffic Management: AI and machine learning can

analyze massive amounts of traffic data to predict patterns, optimize traffic flow,
and improve overall transportation efficiency.

Shared Mobility Solutions: ITS can optimize shared mobility systems like bike-
sharing or ride-sharing to increase their efficiency and user-friendliness,
encouraging a shift towards more sustainable modes of transportation.

These are just a few of the many potential future applications of ITS. As
technology advances, it is certain that ITS will continue to transform the way we
travel, making it safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.

Final Thoughts
In the face of the ever-growing global transportation demands and environmental
challenges, the adoption and further development of Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS) presents a visionary approach. As we look ahead, the convergence
of technology and transport through ITS holds the promise of reshaping our current
practices, underpinning safer, cleaner, and more efficient journeys. Indeed, the
road to the future of transportation is intelligent, interconnected, and innovative.