The Transportation industry computer technology has over the period undergone a nearly incomprehensible revolution, parallel to the evolution from Morse code to e-mail. Although the elementary scope, goals, and objectives of the transportation community have not changed significantly, the challenges of technology today are greater than ever before.
Within an age bracket, software has transformed the daily tasks of the personnel—computer use has infiltrated almost all over the place. Data management capabilities have to a great extent improved source management. However, additional to the positive possessions are the challenges of implementing, supporting, and backing these technologies in the world of transportation.
Tightening the gap between cutting-edge technology and its applications, as well as identifying the misplaced links for applying technology in transportation will be the continuing challenge. This article briefly touches upon the state-of-the-practice in information systems and technologies for transportation, as well as the mounting role of information technology in this century. This estimation points to potential solutions for technological challenges in such areas as:
- Applying information systems and technology in the transportation field
- Applying system-user as well as data management and data sharing
- Using web technologies in transportation
- Prioritizing research, development, and demonstration programs
- Encouraging the use of common information system and information technology semantics and standards in the transportation field
- Facilitating and monitoring technology transfer as a “user advocate” among transportation organizations, vendors, and universities
- Evaluating the impact of computer technologies on transportation organizations, gains in productivity.
