This report presents the findings of the study team on a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) International Scanning Tour to the countries of Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, and England. The scanning tour was made to these countries expressly for the purpose of learning about innovative applications of technology to improve the traffic management and traveler information services provided by public-sector agencies. The study group was specifically interested in the policies, plans, and activities that these countries have established to facilitate the deployment of advanced technologies in the following areas: traffic management; traffic signal systems; incident management; transit management; electronic toll/fare payment; and traveler information systems. Also of interest were specific programs related to financing, public-private partnerships, technology designs, training, marketing, and user acceptance. The report presents the study team's findings through four country summary sections, an applications section, a recommendations section, and a section on opportunities for future cooperation. In addition, a few of the study team provided testimony on personal observations and insights that they gained as a result of the scanning tour. Finally, the report contains a number of appendices that give additional insights on the trip. Of note is the appendix listing the Internet World Wide Web addresses that were available in the countries visited. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting