An overview on energy conservation in automobile traffic and transportation with ITS

This paper surveys the effects of intelligent transport systems (ITS) on energy conservation. ITS could improve traffic flow to prevent congestion, leading to energy conservation. Traffic signal control systems enable automobiles to go through intersections without stopping, and electronic toll collection systems eliminate stopping at tollgates. With route guidance systems, drivers can reach their destinations along the optimal routes. Vehicle control systems increase the effective road capacity by shortening the inter-vehicle gap and lane width. The effects of ITS on energy conservation are expected to be a 13 % decrease in fuel consumption in the year 2025 in Japan.