4 Smart cities and communities
4.1 Intelligent transport systems

Intelligent transport systems (ITS) aim to provide innovative services and traffic management enabling the users to be better informed and making the transport networks safer, faster and more efficient. This in turn minimises pollution and other negative aspects of transportation networks.

There are various systems belonging to the intelligent transport systems from basic management systems such as car navigation; traffic signal control systems; variable message signs; to more advanced applications that integrate live data and feedback from a number of other sources, such as parking guidance. Smart cities need ITS. A well planned and efficiently managed transport network is a must for any society.

Important features of Intelligent Transportation Network include:

- Public Transportation Management - the aim is the encouragement of public transport usage amongst people. This can be achieved by effective automation, planning and information. Especially Multi-Modal transportation options shall be integrated to make public transportation attractive and effective.
- Route Information and trip planning - the aim is to give the travellers information about the route best suited for their journey and giving them instructions and additional information (e.g. estimated travel duration, alternate routes, toll fares, etc.). The real time information about traffic conditions along the route are also taken in account.
- Safety and Vehicle Control - the aim is to provide safety assistance to vehicle operators, giving them additional information about surrounding environment (e.g. collision warning by tracking position of other vehicles, etc.).
- Electronic Timetable - they can assist travellers in knowing the arrival and departure time, delays, transfers and connections at a station.
- Electronic Payment System - the consumers don’t have to waste time in buying tickets for different modes of transport. They can make one single electronic payment and obtain one fare card to cover different modes of transportation.
- Smart Parking - solutions with the help of right infrastructure can minimize parking woes (that affect every city dweller) to a great deal.
- Mobility as a service - it is important to provide mobility as a service as an option, e.g. using transportation network companies (Uber, Lyft, ...), car sharing, bike sharing, etc.

The most important ITS technology enablers are tracking systems (e.g. GPS), intelligent sensors in vehicles and road infrastructure (including cameras and video analytics) and intelligent traffic light system.

One of novel applications in ITS is Emergency vehicle notification system (eCall) which was made mandatory in all new cars sold within the EU from April 2018. In case of activation of in-vehicle sensors after an accident the eCall device will establish an emergency call carrying both voice and data directly to the nearest emergency point.