AASHTO’s John Horsley gave us some great examples of how states across the country are turning to high-tech solutions to solve their transportation challenges. You can bet that cash-strapped city and state governments aren’t embracing technology because of the “cool factor”. They recognize that we need to build smarter – using technology to connect transportation modes, expand traveler choices, and improve traffic management. They also recognize that technology is essential for getting the most out of our existing infrastructure, from roads and bridges to ports and transit systems.

One example gaining traction across the country is the use of smart traffic signals that change based on real-world conditions, which are shown to return $40 in time and fuel savings for every $1 invested. Private sector companies like INRIX, as John mentioned, are using technology to provide real-time traffic information that can be used by state and local agencies to manage their transportation systems more efficiently and reduce costs. A U.S. GAO study found the benefit-cost ratio of a nationwide real-time traffic information system to be 25 to 1, with a $1.2 billion investment returning more than $30 billion in safety, mobility and environmental benefits. Another example is Salt Lake City’s MAX Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system which uses transit signal priority, real-time bus location technology, advanced fare collection and a more efficient vehicle design to modernize the rider experience while keeping buses on schedule and improving efficiency. As a result MAX BRT has increased ridership by a third, reduced travel times by 15%, and linked to Utah’s TRAX light-rail system to provide an efficient bus to rail connection.

From cars that avoid crashes, smarter highways like Seattle’s that help reduce traffic congestion, and sensors that provide real-time traffic, transit and parking information, to stress-sensing bridges, electronic toll collection systems like E-ZPass and weigh-in-motion truck inspection systems like PrePass, technology is critical for managing our transportation system, improving return on investment, and creating a safer, more user-friendly transportation experience. Unfortunately, while we are making great strides, our approach to deploying intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in the U.S. has been piecemeal at best. Other countries are passing us by when it comes to incorporating technology throughout their transportation system to improve safety, cut down on congestion and save money – from Japan’s Smartway system to Stockholm’s state-of-the-art congestion pricing network.

When cities and states want to bring those innovations here, they too often have to visit other countries to see how it’s done. As President Obama pointed out in the State of the Union, it is time for the United States to reclaim its role as innovation leader. Our transportation infrastructure is a great place to start.

The good news is that we do have pockets of innovation here today, and many of our members at ITS America are leading the charge for more widespread adoption of intelligent transportation solutions. Ford, GM and other automotive leaders are working collaboratively with the U.S. DOT to pioneer connected vehicles that talk to each other to avoid crashes. Companies like IBM are propelling us toward a future of “smarter cities” that make better use of technology to connect and manage their infrastructure, from the transportation and telecommunications networks to utilities and the energy grid. What these and other ITS solutions share in common is also the reason they are supported by both the Administration and the new class in Congress – they help save money.

In an era where governments at all levels must do more with less, investing in technology ensures that we build a system that is safe, efficient and compatible with a 21st century world. A modern transportation network based on the best available technology is critical for keeping our people and economy moving. Congress and the Administration have an opportunity this year to pass a new multi-year transportation reauthorization bill that not only works to maintain our current transportation infrastructure, but leverages private sector investment and innovative technologies to improve safety, cut congestion, reduce costs, and meet the demands of future generations. This is one opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

The starting point for any new project must be an awareness that both the federal government and state governments are out of money. At least as far as passenger rail is concerned - - intercity, light rail and streetcar - - high tech usually means high cost. The greatest threat to building more passenger rail is not the libertarian transit critics but escalating costs. One example: Kenosha, Wisconsin built a successful streetcar line that uses vintage cars for $3 million per mile. One southwestern city is now spending $180 million for a four mile streetcar line. As that ur-conservative the Queen of Hearts would say, “Off with their heads.”

Rail advocates should promote simplicity, traditional low-tech approaches and minimal cost, not high tech, if they want more passenger rail. As the old Russian saying goes, “Best is the enemy of good enough.”

Using advanced technologies to improve information for travelers, reduce congestion, and improve safety is a growing practice among state DOTs. President Obama is correct to promote both of these concepts simultaneously. Citizens have come to expect that transportation agencies will use new technologies to help them get where they want to go, when they want to get there. Investment in both infrastructure and high-tech are essential.

Washington State DOT is demonstrating the effectiveness of “active traffic management,” which uses variable overhead electronic speed limit signs on Interstate 5 just south of Seattle, to slow down or speed up traffic when crashes occur ahead of drivers in traffic (www.smarterhighways.com). This avoids stop-and -go traffic, reduces congestion and the risk of rear-end collisions.

When the 2010 Urban Mobility Report was published Jan. 20 2011 by the Texas Transportation Institute, the congestion data it used was generated by the high-tech company INRIX (www.inrix.com), which uses cellular telephones to provide information about how traffic is flowing. State DOTs, which have been using freeway cameras and electronic loops to measure and report on traffic, have been offered new less expensive and equally reliable ways to gather this information.

State transportation agencies were given the option six years ago to use the three digit phone number “511” to provide traveler information. Today drivers can dial “511” and get “real time” traffic and weather information on major highways in 70% of the country.

Collision avoidance systems are growing in popularity. Most car manufacturers have introduced on-board “lane keeping” technologies to keep drowsy drivers from running off the road or from crossing into on coming traffic. Likewise, they are marketing “adaptive cruise control” technologies to make sure vehicles traveling at freeway speeds keep a safe distance from the cars ahead. This not only enhances safety, it improves traffic flow by controlling the volume of vehicles lanes can carry. General Motors’ “OnStar” cell phone technology automatically alerts emergency response agencies when a car so equipped is involved in a collision.

Pre-Pass is an electronic pre-clearance technology that allows trucks with proven safety records to get a green light when approaching a state inspection station. Eliminating such stops can save time and money. To date, more than half a million trucks have signed up.

USDOT, state DOTs, the automotive industry and their suppliers are working toward implementation of a system which uses “dedicated short-range” radio technology to communicate information gathered from on-board automotive sensors from vehicle to vehicle and to roadway managers. This system can be used to avoid intersection collisions, reduce congestion, and provide consumer services such as finding the nearest available parking.

States are increasingly using “smart technologies” to improve system performance, safety and reliability. AASHTO, in partnership with organizations such as the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, are working to make sure that such technologies remain eligible for funding in the next federal highway and transit reauthorization bill.