Gov. Timothy M. Kaine voiced strong support for the application of information technology to solve Virginia’s transportation problems. Meeting with Northern Virginia congressmen and business leaders yesterday, he said, “We’re all committed to the notion that part of the answer to some our transportation challenges is going to be more effective use of technology.” Reports Leesburg Today:

“We shared with the executives the things that we already do with nearly a thousand sensors in the statewide system, significant traffic cameras, and how that information is available in the public,” Kaine said, mentioning the commonwealth’s 511 traffic information system. …

But the thing that these executives really put on the table was a strong marker [of what’s to come]: “Be committed to giving consumers the most information possible about traffic, alternate routes, traffic conditions, the length of time a particular trip is taking today so you can see if it’s too long and you can decide to go another way,” Kaine said, adding that the current information could be integrated and expanded to provide consumers a better package.

The kind of data that Kaine is talking about can be downloaded real-time to websites and cell phones. It won’t be long before it is integrated with navigation systems in peoples’ automobiles. As Virginia starts experimenting with congestion pricing (make sure to read next Monday’s edition of the e-zine), which uses variable tolls to encourage motorists to time-shift their commutes or take alternate transportation modes, it will be indispensable to have robust tools that tell drivers where the problems are.

I know that Kaine remains committed to raising taxes for transportation, but he deserves credit for working diligently also to make the existing system work more efficiently.