The whole idea is to encourage innovative ideas for combating traffic congestion. Ideas include congestion pricing (i.e., paying extra to drive in high traffic times and areas), commuter services (aka buses), and real time traffic information. Products and services include navigation systems that feature traffic condition information such as found on the Acura RL and Cadillac CTS; cell phone applications that display similar data; and intelligent transportation and tolling systems that keep traffic moving.
The Department of Transportation has budgeted $175 million to the project. Our take? While we're pleased with the federal governments involvement, we can't help but wonder if it's 1) a political ploy to keep voters happy and 2) it's too little (in cash) and way, way, too late.