There has been a fundamental difference in the level of emphasis given to various forms of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) between the experience of the United States and that of Europe. This paper examines the difference between the implementation strategies taken towards traveler information technology on the two sides of the Atlantic. A major difference in the policy emphasis has concerned the application of ATIS technology to the longer distance trip in general, and the "intermodal" passenger trip in specific. The intermodal passenger trip is characterized by the use of several modes or trip segments to accomplish the journey from origin to destination. The paper documents the emerging interest in the United States in the development of information programs for longer distance trips (trips going beyond the borders of the metropolitan area) and the application of multimodal "itinerary planning" information technology to those trips. These early development activities are examined in comparison with the recent history of implementation of European systems which bring intermodal trip information to both nationwide and international passengers. The paper concludes with an examination of the manner in which ATIS practitioners from both geographic areas can learn from closer professional collaboration. For the covering abstract see ITRD E114174.
Samenvatting