Application of High Technology in Highway Transportation

About the report:

Highway and traffic engineering practice is rapidly changing as communications technology and computer systems are being adopted to facilitate the work of the practitioners and expand their capabilities. This field has been an evolutionary one since the introduction of computers in the 1950s. In recent years there have been major breakthroughs in the application of interactive graphics for computer aided drafting and design, and in the use of microcomputers. Described in this report are current developments in the use of high technology in highway and traffic engineering. Also discussed is the extent to which state transportation agencies are availing themselves of the benefits of high tech. The report discusses the anticipated impact of high tech from the viewpoint of Virginia's highway transportation system and suggests seven areas where research and development could prove profitable. These areas are data base management and information systems; highway traffic operations and management; highway information systems and user communications; computerized design, analysis, and planning; laboratory and field data collection and analysis; construction management and quality control; and other applications such as robotics and expert systems.

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