Intelligent Transportation Systems

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are systems that integrate information and communication technologies into both vehicles and infrastructure to enhance safety in transportation networks, improve traffic efficiency, and ensure environmental sustainability. ITS does not merely guide individual vehicle behavior; it monitors, analyzes, and generates real-time decisions at the system level. As a result, transportation becomes faster, safer, and more environmentally friendly.

History

• 1960–1980: Early Steps: The origins of ITS date back to the 1960s with basic technological applications such as traffic signalization and route guidance systems. In the 1970s, projects like the Electronic Route Guidance System (ERGS), supported by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, were implemented in the United States.
• 1980–2000: Digitalization Era: Systems such as VICS in Japan and IVHS in the United States were developed, and navigation and automated toll systems began to be tested.
• 2000–2020: Internet Age and Standardization: The European Union began harmonizing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications through the C‑ITS (Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems) standard. Similar projects were also carried out in the United States and Japan during this period.
• 2020 and beyond: Sensors, algorithms, and data analytics have been rapidly integrated. For example, Graph Neural Networks (GNN) and IoT systems are now being used for traffic prediction.

Core Components

Traffic Management Systems

• Sensor and Camera Network: Data on road density, speed, and vehicle count are collected.
• Adaptive Signal Control: Systems such as SCATS (Sydney) and SURTRAC (Pittsburgh) optimize signal timings in real time.
• Active Traffic Management: Techniques such as variable speed limits and message boards are implemented.

Public Transport and Passenger Information

• Real-Time Route Updates: Instant arrival times are displayed at bus and metro stops.
• Planning and Reservation: Journey planning is integrated through mobile applications.

In-Vehicle Systems (ADAS & V2X)

• Driver assistance systems such as collision warning and lane keeping.
• V2X technology: Vehicles communicate with infrastructure and other vehicles. The United States pioneered this development by allocating the 5.9 GHz band in 1999.

Parking and Tolling

• License plate recognition and mobile payment systems have become widespread.
• Smart parking guidance systems save time and fuel.

Logistics and Commercial Applications

• Fleet management and route optimization: Logistics companies achieve significant cost savings.

Security and Emergency Response

• eCall systems automatically initiate emergency calls in the event of a crash.
• Priority signals for emergency vehicles reduce response times at traffic lights.

Technical Infrastructure

• IoT Integration: Growth of IoT-based ITS is projected to exceed 10% between 2022 and 2032. In Türkiye, automated toll systems began in 1992 and have since expanded significantly.
• Artificial Intelligence and GNN: GNN models deliver more accurate traffic predictions than traditional methods.
• Communication Protocols: Standards such as DSRC and C‑V2X are used in C‑ITS systems. Research into 6G is opening new possibilities.

Application Examples

• European Union: The Rolling Plan for ICT Standardisation published for 2025 highlights V2X, 5G, and interoperability as key priorities.
• Türkiye: Plans targeting 2028 aim to construct 900 km of intelligent roads and 1,400 km of transmission infrastructure. Initial implementations are underway in Ankara for fire response and in İzmir through smart intersections.
• Global Examples:
• • Ann Arbor, Michigan: Through adaptive signal control developed with Siemens-IMTECH, travel times decreased by 12–21%.
  • Pittsburgh (SURTRAC): Waiting times were reduced by 40%.
  • Sydney (SCATS): Adaptive traffic management is applied at 55,000 intersections.

Advantages and Evaluation

Challenges and Risks

• Lack of Standardization: Incompatibility among different manufacturers is common.
• Data Security: Risk of cyberattacks is high. U.S. ITS security analyses from 1997 highlighted this vulnerability.
• High Costs: Infrastructure investments can strain public budgets.

Future Outlook

• Autonomous Vehicles & UAM: Driverless vehicles and urban air mobility will be integrated into ITS.
• 6G and Artificial Intelligence: V2X will evolve with expectations of low latency and high bandwidth.
• Big Data Analytics: Will be applied in traffic modeling, maintenance prediction, and urban planning.

Türkiye Intelligent Transportation Systems Association

Significant developments have taken place in intelligent transportation systems in Türkiye. Pursuant to an action requirement in the National Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategy Document (2014–2023) and its Initial Action Plan (2014–2016), organized by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Türkiye Intelligent Transportation Systems Association (AUS) was established on 15 March 2016. On 8 November 2018, the Ministry of Interior granted permission for the association to use the term “Türkiye.” AUS Türkiye has been recognized as worthy of the Excellence in Transportation Award.