INTELLIGENT TRANSPORT SYSTEMS - CORE TECHNOLOGIES. IN: INNOVATIONS IN FREIGHT TRANSPORT

Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) involve the application of advanced information and communication-based technology in order to reduce the costs of transport. ITS makes skillful use of advanced information and communication technologies to merge people, vehicles and transport infrastructure into an integrated, intelligent system. The transport system comprises three main elements: (1) controllers of vehicular units (e.g., drivers); (2) vehicular units (e.g., trucks); and (3) transport infrastructure (e.g., roads). ITS enhance the information flow between these elements in order to make them more compatible. ITS creates new markets for information service providers, electronics, communication, software and media companies. The range of information services is potentially unlimited. There have been rapid developments in information and communication systems in recent years that have enabled a number of freight ITS to be implemented. This paper describes recent developments in several core technologies that are typically used in freight ITS and the emphasis is on describing the functionality and applications of geographical information systems, automatic vehicle location and electronic toll-collection technology in freight transport.