Microwave Beamforming Networks for Intelligent Transportation Systems

An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is a system based on wireless communications which has been investigated for many years in order to provide new technologies able to improve safety and efficiency of road transportation with integrated vehicle and road systems. It combines all aspects of technology and systems design concepts in order to develop and improve transportation system of all kinds. ITS, which utilise information and communications technology in vehicle as well as within the roadside infrastructure, can also be used to improve mobility while increasing transport safety, reducing traffic congestion, maximising comfort, and reducing environmental impact (Andrisano et al., 2000). Intelligent transportation systems and applications can improve the quality of travel by selecting routes with up-to-the-minute information data, giving priority to response vehicle teams, notifying drivers about road incidents, and delivering ITS services to drivers. They can reduce fuel consumption by routing the vehicles to their destinations so that fuel waste is significantly reduced, and also fully utilise the capacity of the existing road vehicular networks by controlling the flow of vehicles based on traffic monitoring and detecting congestions.