Web 2.0 in transportation: practices, utilization, and potential
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Advances in information and communication technology have changed many aspects of our life. Since the invention of the World Wide Web, thousands of miles became seconds in terms of reaching and using information and communicating with people. However, there were still gaps for creating an interactive communication and collaboration environment. In 2004, Web 2.0 was introduced as a new version of the World Wide Web (WWW), not in terms of technical specifications but in the ways of communication and usage. With the Web 2.0 technologies such as web-based applications, social-networking platforms, photo/video sharing, wikis, blogs, content syndication applications, mashups, and synchronous conferencing applications, web sites turn into interactive and dynamic platforms from static information providers. Recent applications show that transportation industry has been adapting to the evolution of web technologies. In this study, Web 2.0 technologies and tools are explained in detail with the popular examples within and without the transportation field to emphasize the effectiveness and capabilities of the new version of the World Wide Web. Usage of Web 2.0 in different transportation areas such as transportation planning, public transit and public relations are presented with successfully implemented applications. Additionally, utilization of Web 2.0 tools and applications by transportation professionals are examined with a national level survey. The survey is designed to gather information from transportation professionals about their familiarity with Web 2.0, the ways Web 2.0 is used in transportation, the most used Web 2.0 technologies and tools in different transportation study areas, and the utilization of Web 2.0 technologies at the institution/agency/organization levels. 1080 transportation professional were contacted from across the U.S. and 137 of them participated in the survey. Survey results demonstrate that 71% of transportation professionals are aware of Web 2.0 technologies. However, only 24% of respondents utilize Web 2.0 for professional purposes and 28% of them for personal reasons. Also, participants’ responses indicate that Web 2.0 technologies are highly effective in transportation planning, transportation education and public relations areas. After introducing Web 2.0 and presenting practices in transportation area, a Commuter Information System (CIS) is proposed to improve the congestion management by utilizing Web 2.0. CIS, which will provide real-time information to daily commuters, is aiming at relieving the effects of the congestion by informing drivers before and during their trips. CIS utilizes Web 2.0 to facilitate commuter data entry and information dissemination, and provides communication and collaboration environment for the public. Finally, future potential of Web 2.0 and the next step, Web Squared, are discussed. Because web technologies are changing rapidly, 3-5 years predictions are presented. In this perspective, smart computers and devices are expected to be the most significant change in near future.