Future role of cost–benefit analysis in intelligent transport system-research

For a successful implementation of intelligent transport systems (ITS), technological progresses and innovations are undisputable important. Nevertheless, economic viability may not be forgotten as a prerequisite. Considerable investments for stakeholders (such as public or industry) are needed to equip vehicles, install the necessary infrastructure or to set up traffic management centers. This study enhances the technological perspective on ITS-projects by picking up the topic of economics. In this study, viable business models are acknowledged as a central success factor for the implementation of ITS. The focus, however, lies on the often neglected socio-economic perspective which includes societal costs and benefits. These impacts can be determined with a cost-benefit analysis (CBA). On the basis of a systematic case study, this study provides a profound understanding for the methodology of the CBA and the importance for public-decision making. By means of ITS-projects of the European Framework Programs, the automotive ITS-project sim^TD and the multimodal-related project All Ways Travelling, the significance of CBA-results for ITS-projects is shown. At the same time, the method is critically assessed by showing a number of limitations that can strongly determine the validity of the results, and therefore require a methodological adaption to the needs of ITS-projects.