www.transport-intelligent.net

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)

The expression “intelligent transport” may seem surprising. In fact it simply refers to the use of new information and communication technologies in the field of transport.
The initials “ITS”, which stand for “Intelligent Transport Systems”, have progressively become commonplace throughout the world.

The term ITS covers numerous applications, for example:

• New traffic management systems (such as SIRIUS).
• Driver assistance (e.g. on-board guidance systems).
• Driver information (e.g. the “107.7” traffic information radio channel or variable message signs).
• Public transport (e.g. traveller information services, demand-responsive transport, etc.).
• Electronic payment systems (e.g. electronic tolling).
• Traffic regulation enforcement (e.g. automatic speed cameras).
• Various other systems promoting road safety (e.g. automatic incident detection, intelligent speed adaptation devices, automatic emergency calls, etc.).
• Freight and fleet management for road, rail or waterway transport.

In brief, the main challenges faced by ITS are:

• The improvement of transport efficiency.
• The improvement of transport safety, notably road safety.
• Sustainable development / pollution reduction /mobility management.
• Service development.

It goes without saying that there are also industrial and commercial challenges, as ITS encounter heavy worldwide economic competition.

The ITS world evolves very quickly; hence the interest of a Web site devoted to this domain (www.transport-intelligent.net).
This site has been realised under the aegis of the “Intelligent Transport” Mission, which is an unit of the French Ministry of Transport.
It has been organised for facilitating the appropriation of the site by everybody, and also for giving to anybody the possibility to bring his/her own contributions, in order to improve the site.