Intelligent Transportation Systems

Transportation systems constitute an essential part of modern life and large urban centers. These systems have emerged as major players in enabling the mobility of not only vehicles but also people residing in cities, playing a part in all issues related to mobility within urban environments. Owing to the unprecedented growth of urban centers and the introduction of new services that have emerged as a result of technological advancements, these systems have been increasingly requiring considerable support to manage resources and vehicles. Transportation systems play a role in coordinating vehicle traffic and guaranteeing safety, which involves tackling many challenging issues commonly observed in large urban centers. The advancements and support of information and communication technologies have enabled the design and implementation of transportation solutions, which led to the development of intelligent transportation systems (ITSs) and the provision of many innovative services, such as those related to guaranteeing safety, providing useful information to drivers, enabling greater flow of movement on streets, and avoiding congestion. ITSs combine various technologies and services to optimize urban mobility and reduce both the financial and environmental damage caused by the demand for vehicles in urban centers. This chapter describes the fundamental concept of ITSs in the context of big cities.