For instance, officials in New Hampshire are interested in several proven ITS applications. One proposal is for variable speed limit signs along I-95 where weather conditions often change the driving conditions. Another application is for remote rural weather information systems. Better weather forecasting is essential to planning personal and commercial vehicle travel and for proper salt application rates where salt is laid before a storm hits to avoid icy road conditions. Finally, with the construction of a traffic operations center, New Hampshire's interstates and turnpikes could incorporate traveler information, changeable message signs and incident management systems to improve safety and efficiency on major routes. New Hampshire has none of these systems and very little related infrastructure in place, and with limited transportation funds, the state cannot afford to get started toward the $30 million cost of these proposals.
Mr. Chairman, I am concerned about the progress of ITS deployment in both metropolitan and rural areas. In the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), Congress directed approximately half of the $1.3 billion ITS program funding to research and implementation and the other half to specific deployment activities. Less than 10% of the research and implementation funds have gone for assistance to states in developing ITS projects. Congress further directed the Secretary of Transportation to competitively award deployment funds to encourage advanced integration of existing ITS systems. Instead, these funds have been earmarked in appropriations bills to fund a variety of ITS activities across the country. ITS projects are also eligible for federal funding from the states' TEA-21 formula apportionments but must compete with other project needs. With these funding options, ITS deployment has gone from just 6% of metropolitan transportation system coverage to only 22% coverage. This experience teaches us that neither a discretionary program nor a passive eligibility program will result in significant deployment of ITS applications. I look forward to working with my colleagues during the reauthorization of TEA-21 to restructure the ITS program to get these systems on the ground where they can benefit the traveling public.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.