Summary: Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the potential of intelligent vehicle and highway systems (IVHS) technologies, focusing on: (1) the results of major IVHS studies; (2) current IVHS tests; and (3) possible barriers to effective IVHS deployment.
GAO found that: (1) although empirically based results were relatively sparse, the 38 studies reviewed demonstrated a high consensus that the implementation of IVHS technologies could result in reduced congestion, economic benefits, safety improvements, reduced fuel consumption, and air quality improvements; and (2) the nine IVHS operational tests underway emphasized the need for a federal role in ensuring effective IVHS evaluations, focused on near-term advanced traffic management systems, examined congestion reduction effects, and featured some form of federal, local, or private cooperation. In addition, GAO found that the three major barriers to effective IVHS deployment included: (1) burdens associated with federal involvement, state and local level resource limitations, an uncertain consumer market, and possible liability problems; (2) institutional barriers concerning Department of Transportation (DOT) capabilities to execute the program, private-sector and public cooperation, and intergovernmental cooperation; and (3) technological barriers in setting technological standards.
