Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) hold great promise for public works professionals seeking to optimize those public investment strategies that deal with traffic congestion and other growth pressures. Advanced traffic and fleet management systems as well as traveler information and vehicle-based systems can take advantage of information technology advances and private market products to substantially improve the productivity, connectivity, and safety of transportation. And as the new federal transportation act further spurs deployment of these systems, ITS research programs will continue to play a vital role in supporting such deployment and the overall evolution of ITS. Such research includes developing technology tools, providing testing and evaluation environments, and helping advance the state of the practice.