smart+roads+and+cars

===//on Smart Cars and roads i found a great article from: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1154/is_n2_v84/ai_17871693 // === ===//this article was first published in: // === ===// [|Nation's Business], [|Feb, 1996] by [|Julie Candler] // === ===//" // === ===//Smart cars, smart roads - traffic-management systems - includes related article on an upcoming Intelligent Transportation Society of American conference // === ===//Julie Candler // === ===//Picture yourself in the worst traffic jam you can imagine. An accident on the freeway at rush hour makes it bumper-to-bumper for miles ahead, and it takes hours to cover the ground you normally could breeze by in a few minutes. // === ===//What if being trapped in that kind of gridlock wasn't just your worst nightmare but happened every day? // === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">For small businesses which re on the nation's road system to deliver goods and services quickly, economically, and safely, such a scenario would carry heavy costs not only in terms of aggravation but also for the bottom line. And the scenario may not be that far from becoming reality. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Transportation experts forecast that the use of cars and trucks will increase at a rate that far outstrips the current road system's ability to handle the traffic. The Federal Highway Administration, part of the Department of transportation, expects that freeway congestion will quadruple by 2005. And "nonfreeway congestion will double" by then, says David Benson, a senior consult, ant at SRI International, a research and consulting organization in Menlo Park, Calif. "In California alone, more than 300,000 work hours are lost every day in traffic congestion," he adds. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">So why not simply build enough roads and highways to handle the load? Many transportation experts and economists say that would be too expensive, would use too much undeveloped land, and would lead to increased pollution. //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">In addition, such a solution may be too little, too late. "The gap between demand for roads and what's available is widening so fast that there is nobody with enough money to build roads that fast," says Richard Magnuson, founding director of Image Sensing Systems. based in St. Paul, Minn., is participating in a pilot program to demonstrate how the use of technology can reduce traffic problems at the Summer Olympics this year in Atlanta. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">In lieu of building more roads, those working to keep traffic from grinding to a crawl are turning more and more to technology. The increased focus has already led to some advances that just a few years ago would have seemed closer to science fiction than to fact, and more space-age systems designed to move traffic better are on the horizon. As Secretary of transportation Federico Pena says, "America is undergoing a technological revolution in transportation as we apply advanced communications, electronics, and computer technologies to surface-transportation systems." //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">At the forefront of this revolution is the Intelligent transportation Society of America, or ITS America, a public-private partnership with more than 1,5W members from industry, government, and academia. The nonprofit scientific and educational organization, based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1991 as the Intelligent Vehicle-Highway Society of America and has 22 state chapters. Its goal is to improve the efficiency and safety of surface transportation by adapting the technologies developed for and used in space and defense programs and in aviation. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">ITS America envisions a future in which, among other things, motorists will be able to cruise at high speeds on Highways containing computer chips that can relay information to drivers through communications devices in their cars. Some lanes will even be automated, with a combination of magnetic pegs in the roadway and radar-equipped, programmable cruise-control systems in vehicles allowing for safe, "hands-free" travel. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">In addition, traffic-management centers receiving video signals from cameras along highways will be able to update motorists continually - via variable-message signs, radio channels for travelers' advisories, and communications devices in cars - about accidents, traffic snarls, and the best or alternate routes to take. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">All this will cut fuel consumption, improve air quality, reduce accidents, and increase America's productivity and competitiveness, ITS America maintains. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === <span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Many members of the organization, which works closely with the Department of Transportation and the FHA, are small businesses that have government and private-sector subcontracts for work on about 250 pilot projects for the federal government's Intelligent transportation System program, also known as ITS. //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The organization, in its strategic plan, forecasts that 80 percent of an estimated $220 billion to be allocated to ITS projects over the next 20 years will be spent in the private sector. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Major categories of projects include advanced traveler-information systems; advanced traffic-management systems; advanced vehicle-control and safety systems; commercial-vehicle operations; emergency management; electronic toll payment; and public-transportation operations. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">One of the small businesses involved in the ITS pilot projects is Image Sensing Systems, the St. Paid firm that will participate in a 17-week project - called the Traveler Information Showcase - connected with the Summer Games in Atlanta. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The 40-employee company, which was formed just four years ago in anticipation of the move toward so-called intelligent transportation, will provide 56 image-processing devices for use with 300 overhead video cameras to detect accidents and tie-ups and provide other traffic information during the Olympics. The device, called the Autoscope Wide-Area Vehicle-Detection System, was designed by Image Sensing Systems and is produced for it by an outside firm. More than 2,000 Autoscopes are in use worldwide. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">When the device, which interprets video signals from the cameras, detects a traffic incident, it alerts the staff at a transportation-management center. The staff members can then send emergency vehicles and advise approaching motorists - through variable - message signs and a special radio channel - to seek an alternate route. //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The Image Sensing Systems equipment can also provide other information. "Each Autoscope monitors about six video cameras, which can tell you how many cars there are and how fast they are moving," says ISS's Magnuson. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">From June 1 through Sept. 30, the Traveler Information Showcase at the Olympics will provide other types of information as well to thousands of visitors within a 200-mile radius. About 250 volunteers Will be supplied with hand-held, battery-operated communications devices - the Motorola Envoy and the Hewlett-Packard 200LX Palmtop - that will enable them to get continuous updates on traffic conditions, parking, and public transit, and to find out details about restaurants, stores, and hospitals. About 80 motorists will be given in-vehicle navigation and guidance devices - made by Siemens Intelligent Transportation Systems, of Auburn Hills, Mich. - that receive radio signals and store maps and other data on compact discs. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">At the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 300 rooms will have interactive televisions that will carry information from the transportation-management center, and interactive kiosks will be set up at Hartsfield International Airport. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Another ITS pilot project is being handled by Rockwell Transportation Systems, a division of Rockwell International, in Anaheim, Calif. The traveler-information and traffic-management project, under a $33 million federal contract that teams the company with the Michigan Department of Transportation, also involves small-business subcontractors. It is the nation's first attempt to integrate an urban system with a suburban one, linking ITS centers in Detroit and Troy. //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">One small-business member of the team, the Detroit engineering consulting firm Scales and Associates, redesigned the computer facility and operations center for the project. The changes helped expand the ITS coverage from 32 highway miles, with 10 closed-circuit cameras in Detroit. to 180 highway miles and 145 cameras throughout the city and suburbs. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Here are some other developments on the intelligent-transportation frontier: //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Weather Samplers //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Surface Systems, Inc., of St. Lows, is producing sensors that are installed in highway pavement. Working in tandem with roadside atmospheric sensors, the Surface Systems devices measure temperature, road conditions, and the amount of de-icing chemical on the pavement. The information is routed to a weather center, which then issues forecasts to motorists and to snow- and ice-control crews. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> ===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Rockwell Automotive, another division of Rockwell International, in Troy, is producing a navigation device that can guide drivers, turn by turn, to a specific address entered into the system. Called PathMaster, it employs a satellite-based global-positioning system, a computer voice, and a map on an easy-to-read screen to show exactly where the vehicle is at all times. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The system can be used in 14 major population centers where map databases have been assembled. Maps covering the entire U.S. are expected to be available by the end of the year. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">"In two or three years," says Roger Stevens, general manager of Rockwell Automotive's electronics operations, "you will be able to buy an integrated navigation and driver-information system. It will take you on the shortest-time route, direct you to emergency services, adjust your route based on traffic congestion ahead, and provide messages and new information you request. Our eventual goal is to achieve a price under $600 for an integrated system." //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Hands-Off Handling //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Some firms, working with funds appropriated by Congress under the 1991 Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, are developing a prototype of an automated highway system. The FHA hopes to have at least a test track of automated roadway in op //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">eration by next year. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Vehicles equipped with intelligent cruise-control systems that would use radar to detect objects ahead and to trigger automatic braking or acceleration would be kept in lanes by magnetic highway. Cars and trucks would be able to drive safely at high speeds only inches behind the vehicle ahead. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Looking Backward //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Delco Electronics Corp., a division of General Motors, in Kokomo, Ind., has developed a system that uses microwave sensors to detect objects close behind or to the side of a vehicle, eradicating the vehicle's blind spot. The Forewarn system, priced at about $1,000, was introduced by Delco in November for use on heavy-duty trucks. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Harold Collins, the former owner of Collins Moving Systems, Inc., in Kokomo, and now a consultant to the firm, tested the Forewarn system for 100,000 miles starting in May 1994 after Delco installed it for free on his truck. He recalls one instance when the system probably prevented an accident. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">He had just passed a car and put on his turn signal to return to the right lane. "Before I could start changing lanes, my turn signal was beeping and the red light on the right-hand mirror was lighting up. I waited a minute before I could see a little sports car on my right trying to squeeze into the same lane. Without Forewarn, I would have run him off the road or we would have collided." //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Quick Weigh-Ins //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">A pilot project under the ITS funding for commercial-vehicle operations has set up automated clearance systems at the 29 truckweighing stations along the 2,000-mile Interstate 75 corridor from Canada to Florida. Called Advantage I-75, the project is equipping 4,500 trucks with devices that allow them to few stations rather than all of them. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The transponders - about the size of a deck of cards - contain a microchip that collects and stores the data about a truck at the first weigh station. After that, a half-mile before many of the weigh stations, the truck chives over electronic scales that can weigh it while it's in motion, then beneath antenna-like data readers. The readers transmit the information to the weigh stations, where computers signal "bypass" or "stop" by audible tones and a green or red light on the transponder. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The system has been a boon for Crescent Paper Tube Co., Inc., which uses a truck to deliver some of the products it manufactures in Florence, Ky. We started using the transponder in midsummer," says Stuart Seltman, president of the 75-employee firm. "It saves a lot of time, especially on days when the scales get backed up. It also saves wear and tear on the truck by cutting down on stopping, starting, and idling." //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">To be sure, not everyone has bought into the idea of the Intelligent Transportation System as the answer to America's impending traffic crisis. Clifford Winston, an economist with the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C., think tank, says: "Economists are not enthusiastic about intelligent transportation. I support a system of tolls that would charge people for the congestion they cause on the road." //===

<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">
===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Proponents of intelligent transportation counter that Winston's solution would be one way to build more concrete highways, but that would not address the larger issues of land use, construction and fuel costs, safety, and the environment, and it would perpetually increase the number of vehicles on the road. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">In any case, the move to intelligent transportaton is gaining momentum. Maryland in August became the first state to cover its entire network of major roadways with a full-time traffic-management system. An operations center in Hanover can monitor traffic flow and keep motorists informed along 16,000 lane miles of interstate highways and major arteries. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Other states will soon follow suit. Meanwhile, Maryland and nearby states have formed the Interstate-95 Northeast Coalition, planning to bring the congested I-95 corridor, from Virginia to Maine, under the umbrella of ITS technology. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">To Join The High-Tech Road Show //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Companies with products, services, or skills that they believe could help the Intelligent Transportation Society of America get traffic flowing can attend the society's sixth annual exposition and meeting, April 15-18 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The cost for ITS America members is $425 if they register by March 15, or $575 thereafter. The costs for nonmembers are $575 by March 15 and $675 thereafter. Information and registration forms are available from Sandra Fitzgerald, the conference registrar, at (202) 484-2902, or by fax at (202) 484-3483. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">An all-day seminar, "The ITS Market: Profiting From Deployment," will precede the expo on April 14. The seminar fee is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers registering by March 15; both pay $75 after that date. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Information about joining ITS America can be obtained from the society's membership director, Paul Gannon, at (202) 484-2894. Memberships, which are priced according to a firm's gross annual revenues, range from $500 to $15,000. However, small businesses in 22 states can join their state ITS chapters for $245. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Information about the state chapters can be obtained from Josie Plachta, chapter coordinator, at (202) 484-4669. The states that have chapters are Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">COPYRIGHT 1996 U.S. Chamber of Commerce //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group" //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> http://technology.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn10087&feedId=online-news_rss20 //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">And there is another one from Newscientisttechand its about an inter-vehicle messaging system from 15th september 2006: //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Japanese carmaker Nissan has announced plans to test an "intelligent transportation system" that sends wireless messages to passing cars. The company said on Friday that it plans to include 10,000 drivers in a 30-month experiment. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Messages will be beamed optically from roadside beacons to passing cars in the trial. Information received by an onboard computer will then be used to alert a driver to potential danger from an approaching vehicle or inform them of traffic congestion ahead, Nissan said in a statement. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The test will start on 1 October 2006 on public roads in Kanagawa, a prefecture just south of Tokyo, with the carmaker hoping to commercialise the system by 2010. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The project is seen as viable in Japan because more than 50% of cars are already equipped with navigational gadgets such as satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, compared with fewer than 10% in the US and Europe. //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">Vehicle alert //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The experiment will test several functions including a "vehicle alert" which tells drivers that another vehicle is moving too fast at a blind intersection. In this situation a voice message warns the driver: "Car approaching from left (or right)". //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">When drivers are travelling above the speed limit a "speed alert" will be issued. In a school zone a warning sign appears on the navigation screen and a voice warning states: "School ahead. Watch your speed." //<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> === ===//<span style="background: lime none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial">The system also includes "dynamic route finder" which informs drivers of the quickest route to their destination using data collected from other vehicles. Drivers will be able to synchronise their cellphone with a car's navigation system in order to relay information about their journey to a central command system <span style="background: rgb(255, 0, 237) none repeat scroll 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial"> //===