The article sees public-private partnerships as necessary for implementing Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and argues that the 'partnership' must progress to 'integration' to gain the full benefits of ITS. Integration aims to ensure that all ITS projects in a given area are co-ordinated and use funds and technology most efficiently. Integration with an advanced transportation management system (ATMS) offers a public transport agency many advantages through better information provision, including: (1) implementing responsive service; (2) enabling timetables and routes to meet travellers' demands better; (3) maximising the effectiveness of current services; (4) motivating travellers to use public transport and attracting additional customers; (5) up-to-date route and timetable information; and (6) improving physical security for riders and bus operators. Travellers could use a single toll-free telephone number to obtain traffic and travel information by integrating the travel information systems of public transport agencies and cities. Costs and errors could be decreased by the use of common base maps between public transport, state transport departments, and other agencies. It is also useful to integrate automatic passenger counting systems and the global positioning system (GPS) time clock.
Samenvatting