Why do you need an ITS Architecture

Like other highly complex systems, integrated ITS applications need a strategic framework as a basis for choices concerning their design and deployment, as well as for investment decisions. Such a framework is generally called a System Architecture.

An Intelligent Transport System Architecture will need to cover technical aspects, plus the related organisational, legal and business issues.

ITS Architectures can be created at national, regional or city level, or relate to specific sectors or services. They help to ensure that the resulting ITS deployment:

can be planned in a logical manne;
integrates successfully with other systems;
meets the desired performance levels;
has the desired behaviour;
is easy to manage;
is easy to maintain;
is easy to extend;
satisfies the expectations of the users.

The ability to integrate systems greatly increases their potential. By complying with the European ITS Framework Architecture, not only will applications work together, but they can be made inter-operable at a European level, a feature of growing importance.

Inter-operability encompasses the technical, operational and organisational aspects, and implies the harmonious and complementary functioning of the overall system.