U.S. Department of Transportation Seeks Technology Solutions to Improve Safety and Reduce Congestion on Nation's Roadways
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RITA 01-07
Paul Feenstra
202-366-1355
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Tuesday,
December 18, 2007 - The U.S. Department
of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration
(RITA) today issued a request for
information (RFI) to private industry, research organizations,
and state and local governments seeking information about commercially
available technology applications designed
to fight congestion and improve the safety and performance of the nation’s
transportation system.
"The solution to today's traffic
problems does not have to be just about building new roads and infrastructure," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary
Peters. "By
harnessing existing technology and adapting it for transportation needs, we can
dramatically improve safety and reduce congestion for the traveling public."
After
receiving input and ideas, RITA will identify technology applications and
stakeholders interested in partnering with the Department on SafeTrip-21, a multi-application field test of safety
and congestion-reducing technologies
that will be launched at the 2008 Intelligent Transportation Systems World
Congress in New York City and integrated into other test
locations. SafeTrip-21 builds upon research into the use of information,
navigation, and communications technologies to prevent accidents and alleviate
congestion by providing drivers with real-time safety warnings, traffic and transit
information, and advanced navigational tools.
"SafeTrip-21 will further the research
and deployment of technologies that can warn drivers in real-time about dangerous
and congested conditions, road hazards and other vehicles with enough time to avoid an
accident or alter their route," said RITA Administrator Paul Brubaker. "SafeTrip-21 is focused on making travel safer and improving the reliability and efficiency
of the transportation system for the American public."
A team from RITA’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center has been
assembled to lead the SafeTrip-21 initiative,
working closely with the automotive, ITS and consumer products industries, as
well as other public and private sector partners. SafeTrip-21 is an important part of the Department’s restructuring of the Vehicle
Infrastructure Integration (VII) program and is intended to accelerate the
testing and deployment of safety and congestion-reducing technologies while
continuing the foundational research necessary to determine the viability of a
nationwide deployment decision.
SafeTrip-21 will incorporate lessons learned in
operational tests currently underway in partnership with automakers, equipment
suppliers, and state and local governments in Michigan, California, Virginia, Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, and New York.
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