GIS for transportation

Abstract

Geographic Information System for Transportation (GIS-T) Geographic Information Systems for transportation (GIS-T) are introduced and their applications in both public and private sectors are reviewed and analyzed in detail. Defining GIS-T as an environment or framework for managing and analyzing spatial data related to transportation, the chapter begins with how GIS-T has been evolved by planners, engineers, and administrators in response to the need for collection of accurate data, data management, and dissemination of data as keys to successful management of transportation problems. Major applications of GIS-T in each state of the USA are introduced and described, followed by descriptions of the use of GIS-T in the private sector. Recognizing challenges that are specific to adopting information technologies, future directions for GIS-T in relation to intelligent transportation Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems (ITS), artificial intelligence (AI), and ubiquitous technologies are also analyzed. The chapter concludes that GIS-T needs to solve new challenges stemming from collection and processing of various sensor data, from both situated infrastructure-based sensors and mobile sensors on distributed vehicles, distributing and presenting information to vehicle operators and city professionals, and provision of computation for algorithms required for traffic evaluation.