Smart Trek, a Model Deployment Initiative demonstration project put together largely with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, has developed nearly 30 Intelligent Transportation Systems projects, most of which deal with helping residents plan and alter their trips according to the real-time traffic situation. And many of their efforts have not only been extremely innovative but cooperative, using the assistance of corporations and universities. Ferry Traveler Information. Seattle not only has major highway delays, but commuters who rely on the area's busy waterway system often queue up for hours waiting for a ferry. Now, Smart Trek can track the location of ferries using Global Positioning Systems, calculate the average wait time at each terminal using vehicle detectors and transmit that information to a variety of outlets, including the Smart Trek home page, variable message signs and highway advisory radio.
Travelers can then decide to bypass a congested terminal in favor of one with a shorter wait time.
Seiko Traffic Reports. It's hard to log onto the Internet when you're in your car, but everybody can check their watch.