GLOBAL CHALLENGES

Five Smart Ideas for Addressing Costly Traffic Congestion

Eric Lundquist | Date: 01-31-11 | Comments

The price tag for traffic congestion in the U.S. hit $114.8 billion in 2009. That's a lot of time, money and pollution for dumb traffic. Here are smart five ideas that can address this megabillion-dollar problem.

We've all sat in traffic for hours during our daily commute. Besides contributing to our stress levels, this represents an enormous waste of time and gas. The economic impact of the problem is staggering. A recent study pegged the cost of traffic congestion in the United States at $114.8 billion�yes, BILLION�in 2009.

Here are five smart ideas that can address this megabillion-dollar problem.

Don't make the trip: The mobile worker, the home-based employee and the dispersed corporation have long been interesting concepts. Now the reality is getting closer. New software designed for mobility, high-speed reliable connections and cloud computing can keep cars off the freeway.

Smart roads: IBM has been a champion of this, but smart roads take time, money and planning. You can't simply make one little piece of the road smart and leave the rest of the infrastructure dumb.

Bikes: A low-tech transportation alternative has been getting a high-tech makeover. Europe has been ahead on this, but the United States is poised to start bike sharing programs in many major cities.

Smaller cars: Big cars take up more space. Smaller cars can mean less crowded highways. How small can they get? Check out the electric pod vehicle of the future.

The big planning approach: MIT has been out in front in taking a big comprehensive view on making transportation smart. The institute's CityCar urban planning proposal centers on the application of information technology to city traffic planning.

Also check out our new Smarter Technology video "Getting There Is Half the Battle." This video highlights the findings of the 2010 IBM Commuter Pain Study survey and discusses how scientists, industry experts and IT professionals are researching traffic information management solutions such as automated tolling, real-time traffic prediction, congestion charging and intelligent route planning to help alleviate traffic and improve quality of life for commuters.