Skip to main content

Infrastructure projects ‘should be software-ready as well as shovel-ready’

In his blog in The Hill, Siemens president of Infrastructure & Cities Sector, Daryl Dulaney claims that, while physical improvements to transportation systems are essential, more consideration needs to be given to incorporating more intelligent technologies. He claims, “Significant improvements in mobility can be made, with minimal investment as compared with large-scale physical transportation projects, by utilising intelligent transportation software in our cities and municipalities. Integrating the us
May 21, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
In his blog in The Hill, 189 Siemens president of Infrastructure & Cities Sector, Daryl Dulaney claims that, while physical improvements to transportation systems are essential, more consideration needs to be given to incorporating more intelligent technologies.

He claims, “Significant improvements in mobility can be made, with minimal investment as compared with large-scale physical transportation projects, by utilising intelligent transportation software in our cities and municipalities. Integrating the use of smart technology into a city transportation system can simplify modernisation without requiring cities to completely rebuild.”

He says it’s not only big systems or large urban areas that realise the impact software technology has on transportation and cites several projects in the US such as the improvements to the world's largest train control system in New York City, new electric computer-enhanced 2008 Amtrak locomotives and traffic-control software in Tyler, Texas, which has significantly reduced downtown congestion.

He concludes: “It’s hard to imagine a world in which we can gather information at the touch of a button, but our transportation infrastructure is operating on systems in place before the invention of the internet. Software can provide affordable, effective solutions that encourage economic growth, support city resiliency efforts, and help the US transportation system finally move into the 21st century.”
UTC

Related Content

  • March 6, 2018
    ITSA’s Shailen Bhatt looks to the future
    The new boss of ITS America is fizzing with ideas. Shailen Bhatt talks to Adam Hill about the need to rebrand the ITS industry, how technology can leverage tax dollars – and where the Star Wars universe fits in to his philosophy. Shailen Bhatt has a big job on his hands. The CEO and president of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America is the second to hold the post in two years following the resignation last July of his predecessor Regina Hopper. It has not been the easiest time for the
  • January 24, 2012
    Underinvestment in infrastructure threatens economic growth
    The 2011 Urban Mobility Report from the Texas Transportation Institute highlights the dangers of continued underinvestment in transportation infrastructure but also offers some hope in terms of possible solutions
  • February 2, 2012
    Travel restrictions cause ITS professionals' knowledge gap
    Andrew Barriball once again campaigns for senior USDOT officials to see sense and lift some of the restrictions on out-of-state travel for transportation professionals. The ability to attend conferences and exhibitions is not a luxury, he says; it is a valid and cost-effective way of advancing the state of the traffic management art
  • February 2, 2012
    Economic stimulus and investment in ITS solutions
    Scott Belcher, President and CEO of ITS America looks at the year ahead