Intelligent Transportation Society of America discusses green technology with CEIL

Oct. 26, 2010 - PRLog -- (Alexandria, VA) - CEIL’s Green Government Podcast series features an interview with Scott Belcher, President and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), discussing  green and sustainable innovations within the transportation sector.

“Transportation in the United States generates nearly a third of all CO2 emissions,” Belcher explains. “ITS technologies are reducing emissions caused by traffic congestion, while providing commuters and businesses the opportunity to choose the most efficient and environmentally beneficial travel routes or modes of transportation.”

ITS America, an advocate for surface transportation safety, efficiency and sustainability, provides its members – from both the public and private sector – information on emerging and existing technologies and systems to improve productivity and reduce emissions.

“It is important to highlight successes within the transportation sector,” says Belcher. ITS America recently presented the City of Portland with the Smart Solution Spotlight award for their work in synchronization and management of traffic lights. “They were able to retire 158,000 cubic tons of CO2 emissions which is equivalent to taking 30,000 cars a year off the road,” says Belcher.  The Washington State Department of Transportation also received an award for their managed lane program to reduce emissions in the Seattle area.

Through their Sustainable Service Transportation Group – composed of public and private sector individuals working on sustainability issues – ITS America focuses on the relationship between transportation systems, climate change and traveler behavior while identifying innovations that reduce the environmental impacts of transportation systems and infrastructure.  

“The Department of Transportation’s IntelliDrive Program will offer vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside communication which will dramatically reduce traffic accidents and better manage the transportation system while driving down emissions,” Belcher explains. Belcher also predicts more communities will adopt HOT (High-Occupancy Tolls) lanes and congestion pricing – which adjusts tolls to account for congestion levels, time of day or pricing zone -- to alleviate traffic in congested cities and corridors and encourage people to use alternate modes of transportation.  

During the podcast, Belcher also focused on how the federal government is working to alleviate transportation-related carbon emissions within their agencies. “The federal government continues to endorse and support the use of public transit among their employees,” he says. Belcher suggests that the federal government reinvest funds towards infrastructure and technology, create a performance-based transportation system and increase their human capital by training staff members to be fluent in 21st century technology in order to improve efficiency.

“People need to be educated about their transportation options and the implications of their decisions,” closes Belcher. “Walk, ride your bike, or take transit. Use the myriad of information out there to make informed transportation choices.”

Listen to the interview: To hear the interview go to www.CEILeadership.org.

About CEIL
Inform, Educate, Enable.
The Center for Environmental Innovation and Leadership (www.CEILeadership.org) is an independent organization that facilitates information and education exchange among government and military professionals charged with identifying, specifying and buying green goods and services, and with vendors, contractors and consultants that provide green goods and services.

GOVgreen Conference and Exposition  
CEIL sponsoring the  GOVgreen Conference and Exposition (GOVgreen.org)  GOVgreen—open to all and free to government and military professionals—is two days of education and an exhibit floor all focused on green government programs and solutions.  Register at GOVgreen.org for the event, November 9-10 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.  

For more information contact Lindsey Gilroy, at info@CEILeadership.org or at 703-706-8216 or visit www.CEILeadership.org.

About ITS America
The Intelligent Transportation Society of America is the leading advocate for technologies that improve the safety, security and efficiency of the nation's surface transportation system. Our members include private corporations, public agencies, and academic institutions involved in the research, development and design of Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies that enhance safety, increase mobility and sustain the environment.

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The Center for Environmental Innovation and Leadership (www.CEILeadership.org) is an independent organization that facilitates information and education exchange among government and military professionals charged with identifying, specifying and buying green goods and services, and with vendors, contractors and consultants that provide green goods and services.