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The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 established the Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems program for improving transit and highway travel through research, development, testing, and evaluation of advanced computer and communications technologies. Now known as Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), the program is authorized through 1997. In response to a request from the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, this study provides a midcourse review of the program and presents options that the Congress may wish to consider in reauthorizing it. In keeping with the Congressional Budget Office's (CBO's) mandate to provide nonpartisan analysis, this study makes no recommendations.

Elizabeth Pinkston of CBO's Natural Resources and Commerce Division wrote the report under the supervision of Jan Paul Acton and Elliot Schwartz. The author wishes to thank Mark Booth, Peter Fontaine, John Patterson, and Rachel Schmidt of CBO for their useful comments and criticism. She also appreciates the thorough reviews by Kevin Dopart, John Fischer, Damian Kulash, Paul Rothberg, and Richard Theroux. She gratefully acknowledges the assistance of many members of the staff of the Department of Transportation who provided data, reports, and valuable insights about the ITS program.

Sherwood D. Kohn edited the manuscript. Chris Spoor provided editorial assistance. Tina Holliday and John McCarty typed numerous drafts of the study. Kathryn Quattrone prepared the report for publication.

SUMMARY

ONE -  INTRODUCTION

The ITS Program
Legislative Authority
Participants in ITS Development
Funding

TWO -  EVALUATING THE ITS PROGRAM

The Rationale for Government Involvement
Evaluating the ITS Program
Issues to Address in Evaluating the Program

THREE  - APPLICATIONS OF INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Travel and Transportation Management
Travel Demand Management
Public Transportation Operations
Electronic Payment
Commercial Vehicle Operations
Emergency Management
Advanced Vehicle Control and Safety Systems
Priority Corridors

FOUR - OPTIONS FOR REFORM

Eliminating the Program
Limiting the Scope of the ITS Program
Strengthening the ITS Program
Conclusion

TABLES

S-1. Funding for Intelligent Transportation Systems
1. Funding and Obligations for the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program
2. Spending Obligations for the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program by Type, 1991-1995
3. Funding for Intelligent Transportation Systems Projects by Type of Application
4. Major Intelligent Transportation Systems Projects

FIGURES

1. Spending Obligations for the Intelligent Transportation Systems Program by Category

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