Dimitrakopoulos G. The Future of Intelligent Transport Systems 2020

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Introduction

The term Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) was coined several years ago,
reflecting the continuously modernized manner in which people, vehicles, and
other objects of the transportation infrastructure move and communicate. Espe-
cially with the enormous advances and incorporation of Information and Com-
munication Technologies (ICT), ITS has become the cornerstone of transport
and attracts immense research interest from the academia, resulting in innova-
tive technological developments from the industry.
This book falls exactly in the realm of the above-mentioned grounds, con-
taining a holistic approach on the latest technological advances that transform
transport systems of all kinds and shape the way people travel around.
The contents of the book revolve around a set of pillars, namely:

1. technology enablers;


2. users;


3. business models;


4. regulation, policies, and standards; and


5. the future of ITS.
   Overall, the book covers, in a holistic manner, aspects that are relevant to the
   next generation of ITSs in one place. The presentation of the book will follow
   the figure above in five parts.
   Part 1 introduces the reader to all the technological enablers for building
   ITS. It provides a holistic approach to intelligent transportation. In particular,
   it will cover (a) the sensing technologies that can be used for data collection,
   (b) the wireless communication advances that enable fast data transfer, and (c)
   the computational technologies such as cloud and edge computing that allow
   flexibility and push applications, data and computing services to the logical ex-
   tremes of a network. Last, this part will also provide information on connected
   vehicles and the available relevant test beds.
   Part 2 of the book covers all aspects that are relevant to the users, as part
   of the transportation chain. It explores the needs, preferences, and identifies
   changes in travel decisions and technology acceptance.
   Part 3 of the book focuses on the business and revenue models that influence
   ITS. In particular, it discusses on the design and pricing of ITS related services,
   the financing and revenue allocation models, the legal requirements and the
   user (driver/passenger) rights, defines the value chain, investigated the financ-
   ing schemes for new ITS concepts, and investigates revenue allocation models.
   Part 4 will investigate all policies that affect ITS, as well as proposing new
   methods to model ITS processes, so as to end up with new appropriate policies
   for promoting technological advances, rather than hindering them.
   The last part of the book focuses on ITS applications, which are present in
   two different perspectives: (1) from the point of the transportation network and