Abstract
This paper investigates the aspects of regional digital convergence, i.e. the capability of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among all people living in the peripheral areas of a country, in relation to the ICT applications into the transport sector, known as Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). It also examines the interdependent relationships between the digital and physical accessibility. Firstly, the ICT infrastructures and their access via the households and enterprises set the conditions for the use of ITS. On the other hand, the expansion of transport networks and decentralization of transport flows can contribute to the widespread adoption of ITS and ICTs in general, and the higher specialization and diversification of digital services. These interactions are analyzed in Greece, through investigating the spatial allocation of public expenditure, at a regional level, for the Information Society and the transport sector, during 2000-2009. The findings indicate that the increased concentration of public investments in road projects in peripheral areas does not imply the bridging of the digital gap between the metropolitan areas (Athens and Thessaloniki) and the rest of Greece. The need for designing a comprehensive regional investment policy is suggested to jointly reinforce the digital convergence and physical accessibility.
Highlights
The main object of this paper is the joint investigation of the spatial investment patterns and activities in the sectors of transport and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Greece
Greece ranks among the stragglers in the European Union (EU) concerning the infrastructure of broadband digital networks, while significant deviation is noticed among urban, rural, island and mountain areas, as well as the whole country concerning the access to broadband networks (IPOIO, 2007; OIS, 2009a)
The private-sector initiatives are expected to enrich both the amount and quality of the available traffic data, via new sources of data collection, and enhance their accessibility from different types of users. Such information sources refer to fleets of floating vehicles, for example, fleet of taxi vehicles equipped with location detection devices, such as the ones based on the satellite detection systems of Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)
Summary
The main object of this paper is the joint investigation of the spatial investment patterns and activities in the sectors of transport and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Greece. The benefits from the management of transport and reduction of travel-related energy and environmental costs can support the sustainable local development of remote regions and territorial cohesion (Grimes, 2000; Cohen et al, 2002) Such systems allow the timely information provided to users, indicating them, for example, the optimum route and describing the (future) traffic conditions and arrival time by car, bus or train. By employing an exploratory data analysis and simple statistical measures and correlations (Section 4), the paper aims at demonstrating the various interrelationships and interdependencies pertaining to the spatial development of transport and ICT infrastructures and services in the Greek regions It shows how the recent advances in the adoption of and accessibility to digital technologies, through considerable public and private investment projects, can potentially enhance the conditions of establishing or expanding the deployment of ITS. The section of Conclusions summarizes and provides implications for designing an integrated investment policy to strengthen both the digital convergence and physical accessibility
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