A framework for evaluating the benefits of intelligent transportaton

The incorporation of intelligent transportation systems into commercial vehicle operations (ITS/CVO) comprise many technologies that are designed to improve operational aspects of commercial vehicles and goods movement by streamlining the collection and exchange of vehicle/driver/carrier information (e.g., safety, registration, licensing, tax payment) via emerging technologies and information systems. Various time and cost savings in addition to enhanced safety and security of freight transportation system are just examples of the benefits from deploying these technologies; however, there is always considerable uncertainty about what the impacts of deployment will be and what can be achieved with new applications. The benefits and impacts of the ITS/CVO deployment can be demonstrated by evaluation. However, a review of the literature on ITS/CVO evaluation studies suggests that there have been inconsistencies among evaluators in all stages of evaluation processes from initial stages to reporting the benefits. For instance, lack of a consistent terminology among transportation professionals was found to be one of the issues in evaluation processes making the interpretation of the results difficult and sometimes misleading. Some of the other issues in evaluation studies include problems with availability and transferability of data, and uncertainties about new technologies and associated benefits for both public and private sectors. This thesis explores these issues, while attempting to address them by developing a framework for evaluating the benefits of ITS/CVO projects. The methodology for developing the framework involves the following major steps: 1. Review of available literature to document current evaluation practices and reported benefits to date; 2. Analyses of all ITS/CVO market packages under Canadian ITS Architecture to identify their potential benefits; 3. Identification of issues relating to deficiencies in existing ITS/CVO evaluation practices; 4. Development of an ITS/CVO evaluation framework that addresses the key issues identified; and 5. Undertaking of a case study to demonstrate the practicality of the developed framework. It is expected that the evaluation framework will assist evaluators to investigate the impacts of the proposed ITS/CVO deployment and to better quantify the benefits. The results of the evaluation should help decision makers to make future investment decisions on whether the deployment should be extended or dismantled.Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofGraduat