Data Gaps Could Hinder a Nationwide Traffic Information System, GAO Study Finds

Although federal, state and local agencies in the public and private sectors are operating smart traffic systems to help travelers combat traffic congestion, but there are still gaps in coverage and quality of data collection that could hinder the creation of a connected nationwide system, according to a recently released federal report. In a Nov. 30 report titled Efforts to Address Highway Congestion through Real-Time Traffic Information Systems Are Expanding but Face Implementation Challenges from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), most transportation experts who were interviewed by the GAO agreed that a nationwide real-time traffic information system is needed to help address gaps in information coverage and inconsistences in data quality. State and local transportation departments also are facing limitations in data collection.