RITA Administrator Brubaker: San Francisco Poised to Revolutionize Future Transportation Systems

Today, I have some truly exciting news! I am in San Francisco, where I was joined by Caltrans (California Department of Transportation) officials in announcing that the city has been chosen as the first test site for SafeTrip-21.  SafeTrip-21 is a U.S. DOT initiative to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries, fight congestion on America’s roadways and improve the performance of the nation's transportation system.

The Department and its partners are investing $12.4 million dollars into using cutting edge Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology and innovations to improve safety and mobility in the San Francisco Bay Area.  This initiative represents the largest multi-modal test of ITS technologies in the world!

So, what does this mean for the everyday commuters in San Francisco?  SafeTrip-21 will greatly enhance their driving experience, and offer unprecedented situational awareness to the traveling public.

Using their cell phone, GPS navigator, or many other consumer electronics available on the market, San Francisco drivers will have wireless access to real-time information on traffic and roadway conditions that could impact their travel plans.  This system will warn drivers of sudden stops ahead, pedestrians crossing at intersections, and even if they are dangerously close to veering off the road. 

SafeTrip-21 will enable drivers to take charge of their morning commute before they even leave their driveway.  Drivers will be told what routes are most congested, and offered alternative ways to commute including:

• Alternate routes to the destination, with estimated travel times;

• Public transit options, including information about available parking spaces at area Metro park-n-rides—this system will electronically pay the fees from your bank account, too.

Roadway congestion, accidents and other incidents affect our quality of life, economy and environment.  SafeTrip-21 offers the potential give America more freedom from traffic jams, air quality alerts and preventable accidents.

Paul R. Brubaker
Administrator, Research and Innovative Technology Administration

Comments

[Website Design]

This is great, NOW BRING ON THE HYDROGEN CARS ALREADY!

I cant wait to cruise the streets in my car that is powered by the same thing as THE SUN!

I do find the future, or even speculation of the future of transportation to be one of the most interesting topics there is right now. Very nice post.

[Dan R. Gray]

Contact the local chapter of the World Future Society and get some of their input to what sound like a near Utopia in moving around the Bay Area. I have not lived there in so long, 1942-1945, that I suspect that this area has done much the same as our home area, the Greater Kansas City Metro Area. It is the same approximate size as the entire State of Connecticut. We are looking at multiple little "towns" that are complete in themselves and potentially could provide their own emergency infrastructure if needed. These individual "towns" would be similar to the oldest we know of, The Plaza in Kansas City. A collaboration of J.C. Nichols and Mayor, Tom Pendergast. We have been looking at some form of "rapid transit" to serve the core city which is now experiancing a great "core city renaissance." We need a "BART" of our own to link all of the developing "villages" to the core city and each other with all tied to our two airports, the small downtown airport of Howard Hughes and TWA fame and our new Kansas City International Airport. The small city within a city where I live, Gladstone, MO is in the process of building an old/new core city of its own. Having been involved, I see it as a truly "Grand Plan" that "generation X" can get into. As a Professional Futurist and long-time member of the World Future Society, I can see a huge potential in increasing our areas GDP, to the benefit of all, old and young alike.