Mobility Services for All Americans: A Major ITS Initiative

For most people, getting to work, to the doctor, or to worship services means getting in the car. But for others, it’s not that easy. There are often challenges that individuals face when trying to get a ride. This is despite the recognition by nearly every human service program that transportation is important. In fact, transportation services are currently spread among 62 federal programs. And Americans – through taxes and charitable contributions – are spending a significant amount of money in order to help. The goal of the Mobility Services for All Americans (MSAA) initiative is to improve transportation services and simplify access to employment, healthcare, education, and other community activities by means of the advanced technologies of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and through extending transportation service partnerships with consumers and human service providers at the federal, State, and local levels. This ITS initiative is related to the United We Ride national campaign that implements the Executive Order on Human Service Transportation Coordination (#13330) issued by President Bush in February 2004. The Executive Order requires ten federal departments to work together to enhance transportation access, minimize duplication of federal services, and facilitate the most appropriate, cost-effective transportation for older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income populations.