ROLE OF MICROCOMPUTERS IN THE TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENT

In spite of the great potential of the microcomputer in transportation planning and administration, its acceptance into the transportation environment and the willingness of the industry to adapt to this new technology is the subject of much debate. The paper identifies several constraints to unilateral acceptance of the microcomputer, including the availability of resources for procurement, internal management of microcomputer time, man-machine interface, employee perceptions of the threat of job displacement, system security, the skill mix of people using the system and compatibility of various hardware and software options. The public transit industry in the United States is used as a case study for tracking the industry's response to microcomputers up to the present point in time. The likely future direction of management response to the microcomputer is also explored including the continuing evolution expected of the technology itself. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 286189. (TRRL)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Proceedings of the International Transport Congress, Montreal, September 23-27, 1984, Volume 1: Planning.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)

  401-1111 Prince of Wales Drive
  Ottawa, Ontario  Canada 
• Authors:
  • Abkowitz, M
• Publication Date: 1984-9

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. E71-E84
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Balkema (AA)
  • Publisher: AA Balkema

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Microcomputers; Public transit; Transportation; Transportation operations; Transportation planning; Utilization
• Old TRIS Terms: Transportation administration
• ITRD Terms: 155: Administration; 8525: Conference; 8673: Digital computer; 9045: Micro; 143: Planning; 744: Public transport; 1155: Transport; 8122: USA; 9084: Use
• Subject Areas: Planning and Forecasting; Transportation (General);

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00466758
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1988 12:00AM