Why introduce intelligent transport systems?
ITS are a group of innovative tools based on information and communications technologies applied in the transport sector. Reasons to implement ITS (ERTICO, 1998b):

• ITS can give significant benefits on the efficiency, safety and environmental impacts of a city's transport system;
  
• ITS can lead to cost savings for authorities, operators and users;
  
• ITS measures can help give the city a modern, high tech image, and improve the quality of life for citizens;
  
• ITS programme can strengthen the local economy, help business and create new jobs.
• The followings describe briefly some of the various ITS tools available and the benefits they offer (ERTICO, 1998a).
  
• Advanced traffic management tools ensure that road network capacity is used to its maximum. For example, Urban Traffic Control systems minimising delays and controlling queues, "green wave" through traffic lights for emergency service vehicles, and public transport vehicles priority over other traffic.
  
• Electronic payment, access control and automatic enforcement systems are important and flexible ITS tools for managing a better distribution of traffic in overcrowded networks.
  
• Electronic payment systems such as smart cards offer operators more flexible ticketing, lower administrative costs and better marketing information. Passengers save time boarding and alighting, and appreciate the cash-free travel.
  
• Multi-modal information systems help travellers plan their journey before leaving home or the office. One telephone call, a quick check on the website, or even a hand-held terminal can give details of public transport services, including timetables, fares, interconnection as well as current service disruptions. With complete, up-to-the-minute information, people can choose the best way to travel.
  
• Variable message signs (VMS) display current traffic information or suggest alternative routes.
  
• In-vehicle electronic journey planners guide drivers along their route to any chosen destination, especially useful in an unfamiliar location. Adding real-time traffic information about current incidents, road works and special events lets drivers change routes and save time.
  
• In-vehicle parking information leads drivers to the nearest available parking spaces, and can even allow them to book and pay in advance.
  
• Pollution monitoring systems offer cities the opportunity to use traffic management tools to reduce the levels of pollution caused by traffic. Telling drivers about the pollution their vehicles are creating also improves public awareness of the problems.
  
• ITS tools such as adaptive speed control, and camera systems for speed and traffic signal enforcement will increase safety of vulnerable road users, particularly children, elderly people and the disabled.

Demand impacts
The demand impacts of ITS depend on the types of implemented fields, but ITS can have a tremendous impact on all stages of a journey in terms of time required. The large amount of information available to ensure wise travel planning greatly reduces wasted time. Pre-trip information, for example, enables accurate planning of the most efficient and effective routes as well as appropriate selection of a public transport option through real-time itineraries. In-journey information, such as real-time traffic data and arrival/departure times, increases journey speed and decreases waiting for public transport (ERTICO).

In addition, drivers also benefit from ITS use in infrastructure, enjoying speedy (and automatic) toll payments as well as variable message signs / ramp metering that warns drivers of potential slowdowns or suggests alternate routes. Fleet operators can also use ITS to streamline delivery times thanks to tracking systems, routing systems, electronic weigh-in-motion and the digital tachograph.

	= Weakest possible response,		= strongest possible positive response
	= Weakest possible negative response,		= strongest possible negative response

= No response

Short and long run demand responses

Most implications of ITS were implemented in recent years, so that it is difficult to judge their effectiveness in the long run, but expected impacts might be evaluated.

	= Weakest possible response,		= strongest possible positive response
	= Weakest possible negative response,		= strongest possible negative response

= No response

Supply impacts

There will physically be no increase in the supply of road space and public transport service by applying ITS technologies. However, reduced journey times and stop start conditions, and rerouting less traffic-congested roads may in practice increase road capacity. Public transport supporting systems such as smart cards also will generate benefits for public transport users. The scale of these impacts is still difficult to judge.

Financing requirements

Some ITS technologies need special equipment and communication networks for utilising technology effect such as non-stop payment system on a toll road network. This will require the vast initial infrastructure cost. Others also need the costs to research and develop a new technology. These estimated costs of the investment will be strongly influenced by both the technical specification and amount of equipment required. It is very difficult to define the technological specification, but the key factors affecting the volume of equipment required is as follows (Perrett and Stevens, 1996):

• the geographic coverage required
• the density of beacons
• the requirement for gantries on which to mount beacons
• the design of the centralised architecture
• the penetration of installation of in-vehicle equipement

The following total costs have been estimated at 1994 prices for common ITS infrastructure(Perrett and Stevens, 1996).

Expected impact on key policy objectives

ITS have potential to contribute to all of key objectives according to the own specific objective, but the scale of contribution is dependent on the types of implemented fields.

	= Weakest possible positive contribution,		= strongest possible positive contribution
	= Weakest possible negative contribution		= strongest possible negative contribution

= No contribution

Expected impact on problems

	= Weakest possible positive contribution,		= strongest possible positive contribution
	= Weakest possible negative contribution		= strongest possible negative contribution

= No contribution

Expected winners and losers

Each ITS instrument would generally be introduced to improve specific objectives such as efficiency, environment and safety. This will induce more winners than losers.

	= Weakest possible positive contribution,		= strongest possible positive contribution
	= Weakest possible negative contribution		= strongest possible negative contribution

= No contribution

Barriers to implementation

= minimal barrier,

= most significant barrier