Environmentally Beneficial Intelligent Transportation Systems

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have been developed over the years as a means to solve a variety of transportation problems. The primary objectives of ITS have been focused primarily on improving safety and increasing transportation efficiency. However, ITS can also have significant environmental benefits. There has been long term concern regarding vehicle pollution and associated air quality. More recently, there is an increased concern with energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Many existing ITS programs have the potential to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions; however, it is also possible to specifically design ITS programs that minimize environmental impacts of transportation. In this paper, we briefly outline different kinds of ITS programs and their potential environmental benefits. We then review several ITS research projects being carried out in Southern California that are specifically targeting reductions in energy consumption and GHG emissions.