Toward intelligent transportation systems for the 2008 Olympics

Deployment of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) is one of the 12 key areas of research and development in China´s 10th five-year plan, lasting from 2000 to 2005. China´s highway system has grown significantly over the last decade. Traffic congestion and air pollution have been the two major problems facing Beijing for decades and are the two central concerns for the successful execution of the 2008 Olympics. Recently, Beijing´s government has made tremendous efforts toward solving those problems, and ITS technology will likely play an important role in the solutions. This installment deals with ITS issues in China. Clearly, ITS will play a role in the future, and all major cities are working on integrating systems into their current scenarios. Along with this, we´re witnessing the boost of China´s economy and, particularly, its great effort constructing its new transportation network. This installment presents the architecture and the technology that will be the starting point for the construction of the ITS, that will be used in Beijing 2008 Olympics.