This System providing accurate, real-time traveler information is viewed by many public transportation agencies as a promising strategy for reducing traffic congestion and improving the quality and efficiency of travel for the public. Properly delivered information such as system speeds, incidents (such as accidents or stalled vehicles), construction activity, weather conditions, and traveler services (e.g. food and lodging) can be of great value to travelers. In particular, commercial vehicle operators, other business travelers, and emergency response personnel can utilize this information to adjust routes, itineraries, and departure times to minimize travel times and vehicle operating costs.
Much of the information noted above is currently collected by various government agencies to satisfy their specific functional needs. For example, most State Department's of Transportation collect traffic sensor and surveillance data to operate its roadway network, adjust traffic signal timing, and respond to incidents. However, rarely is the information packaged in a value added form so it could be utilized by travelers.
Synthesizing the myriad of data that is collected and
delivering it to travelers in a useful form is a role better suited to the private
sector. Private sector entities could also be involved in data collection
activities (such as telecommunications providers tracking cell phone usage on
roadways) and data dissemination mechanisms like cable TV. Furthermore, the
advertising potential associated with travel information delivery interfaces
might appeal to the private sector. For these reasons, travel information
services lend themselves to public-private partnership arrangements.
This
project will apply a systems approach to depict the functional architecture of
a private sector Traveler Information Service Provider. The architecture will
identify the key systems interfaces associated with data collection,
processing, and dissemination. The project will also explore the market forces
and cost models associated with such a venture and an analysis will be
performed determine how profits might be affected by alternative information
dissemination methods.
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