ITS America Releases Reauthorization Platform

At Senate Hearing, CEO Stresses Importance of Integrating Technology to Improve Safety and Mobility

Statements & Press Releases

Issues:

June 25, 2019

Washington – Referencing the ongoing struggle of tens of thousands of roadway fatalities each year, including estimates indicating a sharp increase in cyclist and pedestrian fatalities in 2018, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) today called for the upcoming FAST Act reauthorization to improve the safety and efficiency of the U.S. transportation system by integrating technology into infrastructure and mobility.

In addition to releasing its reauthorization platform, Moving People, Data and Freight: Safer. Greener. Smarter, ITS America President & CEO Shailen Bhatt testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety.

The platform bridges new infrastructure technologies and new modes of mobility at the state and local levels with federal policymaking. Moving People, Data, and Freight first and foremost prioritizes policies that improve the safety of the nation’s transportation system.

“We have an epidemic of fatalities on our roadways, and I believe technology is the best tool in our toolbox to reduce this epidemic,” Bhatt said.

Bhatt noted the association’s focus is policy that expands investment in technology; accelerates connected and automated vehicle technologies; and encourages new modes and models of transportation, including micro-mobility options.

On the safety front, he referenced life-saving V2X (Vehicle to Everything) technologies; the importance of preserving the 5.9GHz spectrum for transportation safety critical communications; and the need for funding to safeguard critical transportation systems that are more reliant than ever on connectivity to communicate and exchange data from cybersecurity threats.

The association also calls for establishing a Mobility on Demand (MOD) program that advances an integrated network of reliable transportation modes and options available to all. “From Lincoln (NE) to Los Angeles, the public and private sectors along with researchers are working together, using technologies to develop solutions that allow people to seamlessly move from place to place. “The next reauthorization holds the key to unlocking the 21st century of transportation in this country,” Bhatt said. “From mobility and infrastructure improvements to eliminating the epidemic of roadway fatalities that claims 100 people every day.” Bhatt’s full testimony is available here.

Contact: Cathy St. Denis, cstdenis@itsa.org

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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

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Technology evolves faster than we can imagine the future. Rapidly evolving transportation innovations are being developed and deployed that promise to entirely reshape the way our transportation network operates, facilitating vast improvements to transportation safety and overall mobility. The promise of these innovations is apparent, but the deployment and application of these technologies is not without challenges. While technology disrupts the transportation ecosystem with new innovations and ideas, government, communities, private companies, and researchers must race to catch up to and contend with ideas never thought possible. How do we accelerate change and safely embrace new technology while promoting collaboration across industry to advance shared societal goals? Through nonprofits like the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America).

ITS America and its members have been at the center of these innovations, advocating for transformational technology to save lives, promote sustainability, and improve access to mobility.

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As advocates for transportation innovation throughout the world’s largest transportation network, ITS America’s public, private and academic members are dedicated to championing smart mobility strategies to ensure safe and thriving communities.
Ramin Massoumi, Global Solutions Director – Mobility, arcadis
Private companies, public agencies and academic institutions committed to influencing the future of intelligent transportation come together at ITS America. Every day, our members advance technology solutions that save lives and improve mobility across the country – in cities, suburbs, and rural communities.
Malcolm Dougherty, National Practice Executive, Transportation, Michael Baker International
At ITS America, our public, private and academic sector members are committed to deploying intelligent transportation technologies to save lives and improve mobility on our nation’s roads. While transportation constantly evolves, we will do all we can to ensure it continues to be the engine that drives our nation’s economy and contributes to improving our quality of life.
Carlos Braceras, Director, Utah Department of Transportation

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