The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) appreciates the Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America (INVEST in America) Act, released earlier today by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee leaders.
First and foremost, the bill recognizes COVID-19’s impact on our nation’s state and local transportation agencies and provides needed support over the next year.
Beyond these immediate needs, we appreciate the increased long-term funding in the bill, because building infrastructure for the 21st century requires a multi-year investment.
As the association that promotes technology to reduce fatalities, congestion, and emissions, ITS America is gratified to see so many positive aspects in the bill that will lead to more research in and deployment of technology, including increasing access to mobility services by making Mobility on Demand an eligible activity under transit programs.
We make data-driven decisions in transportation. When it comes to safety, the data is stark – nearly 37,000 people die on U.S. roads every year. Technology that allows vehicles to talk to other vehicles, the infrastructure, and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and bicyclists is the best tool we have to save lives. This bill, for the first time, makes vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) technology eligible, which is critical to combatting the rise in pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities.
ITS America’s vision is for a better future transformed by intelligent mobility – one that is safer, greener and smarter. The INVEST in America Act makes great strides toward realizing that vision.
We appreciate the committee’s leadership in introducing this bill and look forward to working with the other relevant committees as the process continues.
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About ITS America
The Intelligent Transportation Society of America advances the research and deployment of intelligent transportation technologies to save lives, improve mobility, promote sustainability, and increase efficiency and productivity. Our vision is a better future transformed by intelligent mobility: safer, greener, smarter. For more information, please visit www.itsa.org
