Contributions of traffic theory toward deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems

A discussion is given of certain contributions which traffic theory can make toward deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). They include contributions toward improved surveillance of traffic systems through proper attention to the detection and analysis of shock waves in traffic; improved control of congested traffic networks using a store-and-forward approach; and considerations of stability of traffic movement in an Automated Highway System taking into account changes in grade and curvature of roadways. Finally, some thoughts are presented on the possible use of the internet in order to accelerate ITS deployment without requiring substantial investment in new hardware by the user community.