FEDERAL IVHS PROGRAM INITIATIVES RESULTING FROM ISTEA OF 1991

This presentation describes the USA's Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, and provides a status report of the US Department of Transportation's (DOT's) activities in carrying out this new programme. Through ISTEA, the Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS) programme in the USA received major Federal emphasis and support. The IVHS Act of 1991, as part of ISTEA, is linked to other highway initiatives and researches, and establishes an IVHS programme with an authorised budget of about $660 million over six years. ISTEA's primary funding category is the 'Corridors' programme, where DOT designates corridors that would especially benefit from the IVHS. At least half this money must be spent on three to ten priority urban corridors; the other corridors may be in urban or rural areas. ISTEA also specifically mentions the Automated Highway System (ATS) project. The Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) programme in IVHS is broadly parallel to the national IVHS programme. Its principal areas are: (1) traffic systems and tools; (2) motorist information systems; and (3) an operational test programme. Current operational tests are examining the technologies in: (1) advanced traffic management systems; (2) advanced traveller information systems; and (3) commercial vehicle operations. The paper describes some typical examples. For the covering abstract see IRRD 867146.