Possible Applications of Computers for Transportation

IN TR O D U C TIO N The development of large scale computers with easily programmable languages has allowed for the rapid expansion in the analysis of trans­ portation problems. This expansion has been both of a qualitative and quantitive nature. We are attempting to analyze situations that just a few years ago would have been considered to be too complex and time consuming. The speed, of course, is the prime factor which allows for the investigation of very large and complex problems. However, the ease with which a transportation engineer can adapt him­ self to the use of large scale computers is also of importance. This presentation will only briefly review some of the current applications of computers in transportation. Yet, an attempt will be made to suggest some possible new applications and the requirements for attaining these goals.