Skip to main content

ITS industry in the US has grown to $48 billion and will expand

ITS America has released what it says is the most comprehensive study to date on the scope of the ITS industry in the United States and North America. Researchers found intelligent transportation to be a fast growing sector valued at approximately US$48 billion. Results indicate that cities and states with drastically reduced budgets are turning to technology solutions to maximize existing highway capacity.
April 17, 2012 Read time: 3 mins
"This report validates what we have known for some times - that the transportation technology industry is healthy, growing, and supports high-paying jobs across the country, even in tough economic times" - Scott Belcher, President and CEO, ITS America
RSS560 ITS America has released what it says is the most comprehensive study to date on the scope of the ITS industry in the United States and North America. Researchers found intelligent transportation to be a fast growing sector valued at approximately US$48 billion. Results indicate that cities and states with drastically reduced budgets are turning to technology solutions to maximize existing highway capacity.

The federally commissioned report developed by ITS America and 1712 IHS Global Insight, suggests the ITS technology sector will outpace other industries in job creation and revenue growth through at least 2015. It further indicates that jobs within this sector pay approximately 75 per cent more than the national average wage.

“In the current economic environment, we can’t afford to build our way out of the traffic congestion crisis,” said Scott Belcher, president and CEO of ITS America. “This report validates what we have known for some time – that the transportation technology industry is healthy, growing, and supports high-paying jobs across the country, even in tough economic times. This is a sector where the US is poised to lead the way in innovation.”

Researchers discovered almost 3,000 companies in more than 40,000 locations actively participating in some aspect of the intelligent transportation industry, from small start-ups that promote car-sharing to large corporations that supply state-of-the-art traffic management services to local governments.

Among the key findings in the report:

  • Researchers estimate an end-use ITS market of $48 billion with revenues that exceed those for electronic computers, motion picture and video products, direct mail advertising, or internet advertising.
  • The report model anticipates continuing expansion. From 2009 through 2015, US private sector revenues are expected to climb between $2.7 billion to $4.2 billion each year, with ITS revenue growth exceeding average growth for the US and North America.
  • The report estimates the industry to have 180,000 US end-use private sector jobs, with 445,000 total jobs in the value chain in 2009, corresponding to 0.3 per cent of the 138 million jobs in the US.
  • The 614 US ITS end-use market will add between 3,600 to 6,400 jobs each year through 2015, when private sector end-use market ITS employment is projected to reach more than 205,000.
  • Based on survey responses, average ITS salaries are well above the national average by more than 75 per cent, with the lowest paid earning more than eight per cent above the national average wage. Three occupations (software developer, hardware developer, and other engineering) account for 32 per cent of the ITS jobs.


For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Five million fleet management systems in Europe by 2015
    April 23, 2012
    According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in Europe was two million in Q4-2010. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.7 per cent, this number is expected to reach five million by 2015.
  • Countering falling fuel tax revenue with mileage fees
    April 20, 2016
    Eric G. O’Rear and Wallace E. Tyner look at the benefits of mileage charges and how these might be implemented. Since the early 1900s, taxes on petrol (gasoline) and diesel fuels have been used to finance the construction and maintenance of roadway infrastructure and, in some countries other government spending too. Now, a combination of improved fuel economy, the advent of hybrid and alternative fuelled vehicles and a reluctance in some countries (especially the US) to increase fuel taxes has led to a d
  • EVs stir interest but face obstacles – IBM study
    May 18, 2012
    Many automobile industry executives believe that sales of traditional vehicles will peak before 2020 and are looking to electric-only vehicles (EVs) as one of the next hot products, but they will first have to address stringent consumer requirements about EV performance, recharging, and convenience, according to a new IBM survey of consumer attitudes and a recent study of auto industry executives.
  • Moody’s projects positive 2017 outlook for US toll roads industry
    December 2, 2016
    The outlook for the US toll road industry remains positive, reflecting the expectation of continued strong traffic and revenue growth in the next 12 to 18 months, according to Moody’s Investors Service in its yearly outlook, Tolls Roads – US: 2017 Outlook – Strong Traffic and Revenue Growth Support Positive Outlook. Moody’s estimates that median traffic growth among 48 rated toll roads will range from three per cent to four per cent in the remainder of 2016 and into 2017, and that median toll revenue wil