State of Knowledge and Practice

Abstract

This study examined the capacity of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to reduce energy consumption in the transportation sector. Research included a literature review focused on the energy-saving capacity of ITS technologies and interviews with ITS stakeholders and transportation experts and practitioners. A case study of an ITS project in Portland, Oregon, was used to illustrate the challenges and the opportunities associated with implementing ITS technologies. The objective of this study was to document the state of knowledge and practice and to create a resource for action and implementation of ITS technologies with energy savings as a goal. There is a lack of empirical evidence to substantiate the capacity of ITS to reduce energy consumption in the transportation sector. However, research indicates that the use of ITS has contributed to reductions in vehicular delay but further benefits may be limited. In contrast, ITS does have the potential to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT), with significant benefits, although the benefits are uncertain. The shortage of empirical evidence of ITS benefits may be a function of the limited interest in the energy and environmental benefits of ITS compared with the interest in congestion and safety. In the ITS industry, the focus is on the connected vehicle initiative and, more broadly, the many opportunities to integrate and to leverage multiple ITS applications. There are opportunities to deploy ITS technologies with the purpose of reducing energy consumption in the transportation sector, to document any gains, and to address the lack of evidence supporting the energy-reducing capacity of ITS.