'Smart' Traffic System a Failure

The Washington Post ^ | Tuesday, December 17, 2002 | Katherine Shaver

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

Personal Notification Service Lacked Data, Customers and Profits

A high-tech phone service launched six years ago to give Washington area motorists personally tailored traffic reports will fold today -- before most people knew it existed.

Local governments spent $8 million on SmarTraveler, calling it an essential public service in a region plagued by traffic jams. The money was supposed to cover start-up costs until the private operator could turn a profit. Five other areas also invested millions in SmarTraveler, but all have abandoned it as a profit-making venture. Those that still use it, including Boston and Florida, pay for it.

[dirtboy]

Local governments spent $8 million on SmarTraveler, calling it an essential public service in a region plagued by traffic jams. The money was supposed to cover start-up costs until the private operator could turn a profit.

If it could have made a profit, a private sector firm would have created it without government money...