Use of Work Group Technology in Transportation Agencies: Current Experience and Opportunities

In recent years, information technologies have emerged that are geared toward helping groups to work together more productively and effectively. These technologies are dramatically changing the way people work by breaking down spatial, temporal, and organizational barriers that have limited communication in the past. Work group technologies can address a critical need for improved efficiency and teamwork in transportation agencies. Transportation organizations are an ideal environment for application of these technologies and have a substantial number of processes (both internal and cross organization) that are logical candidates for piloting work group technologies. Various types of work group information technologies are surveyed, relevant application areas in transportation agencies where significant benefits could be realized are described, and examples of three current applications are provided. Key implementation considerations are discussed.