Institutional Challenges to the Development and Deployment of ITS/ATS Systems in California

This report provides an overview of the key institutional challenges that could affect the development and deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems/Advanced Transportation Systems (ITWATS) technologies in California. The findings of the study are based on a series of in-depth interviews and review of research related to “non-technical” constraints both in California and at the national level. Based on this review, the study outlines three core areas that require attention: research collaboration--which focuses on public/private partnerships in the development of new technologies; regional management--which focuses on the coordination of metropolitan planning and deployment of ITS/ATS systems, and stakeholder acceptance--which focuses on the institutional and user acceptance needed for ITS/ATS systems to be successful. After describing how each of these three areas are manifest in California, the report then provides an inventory of relevant lessons that could be learned from other experiences occurring around the country, including at the national level. The report also highlights various social science methods that could be utilized in addressing these key institutional constraints. The study concludes by outlining major research implications of the findings, and provides summary recommendations for developing a broad-based, robust program in California aimed at the resolution of these constraints.