The Symposium was sponsored by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Research Council in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration, the Washington State Department of Transportation, the City of Seattle, King County Metro, and the City of Bellevue. It was co-sponsored by the Institute of Transportation Engineers Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Council and various ITS America Committees.

The Symposium opened with the presentation of seven resource papers defining the key elements of ITMS. The benefits of ITMS, selected case studies, and major issues were discussed at other general sessions. The 194 participants then spent a half-day in workshop sessions discussing the critical issues and opportunities relating to ITMS deployment and developing an action plan for future activities.

The issues identified in the workshops were ranked by all participants at the closing session. The listing of priority issues and activities will be used by TRB, ITS America, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and other organizations to help ensure that ITMS is developed and operated to maximize the benefits to all groups. The results will also be used in planning other conferences, including TRB's Third National ITMS Symposium to be held in Boston in June of 1996.

A number of people contributed to the success of the Symposium and deserve recognition. First, I would like to thank the other members of the Symposium Planning Committee for the time and effort they put into organizing and leading different parts of the Symposium. Second, the authors of the resource papers and the speakers did an excellent job of summarizing the key elements of ITMS. Third, the moderators and recorders provided valuable assistance in facilitating the workshop sessions. Fourth, the TRB staff - especially Rich Cunard, Catha Stewart, Angelia Summons, Reggie Gillum, and Anita Brown - did an outstanding job handling the logistics for the Symposium. Finally, I would like to thank all of the participants for sharing their concerns, ideas, and visions related to ITMS.

These proceedings are intended to help facilitate the development of a strategic agenda to assist in the successful deployment of ITMS. I hope these proceedings will be of help to all groups involved with planning, designing, funding, and operating ITMS. Your involvement in future activities will be critical to advancing ITMS to help address the major transportation problems facing metropolitan areas today.