NATIONAL ITS ARCHITECTURE--FRAMEWORK FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION

This article summarizes the benefits of the National Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture, identifies options for approaching the architecture as a tool, and describes successful organizational approaches to achieve integrated ITS systems. It is the second in a series of three articles concerning the National ITS Architecture. Finding effective ways to approach the architecture and to subsequently represent regional architectures are essential activities of ITS integration. Development of a regional, integrated ITS architecture also requires coordination with, and the cooperation of, multiple organizations. Fortunately, teamwork and coalition building have always been integral components of ITS activities. Evolving case studies will provide additional guidance with respect to organizing regional ITS initiatives