Purpose of the study: The study aimed at investigating the ITS applications and services provided by municipalities in Turkey, specifically for public transportation. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (UAB) has prepared a document called National Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategy Document in 2014 to emphasize the needs and requirements of the sector for the adoption of ITS and related technologies. This study utilizes 8 topics directly related to municipalities and public transportation. The primary purpose of the study is to provide a thorough evaluation of the AUS application in public transportation in order to identify the strength and weaknesses of the municipalities. Additionally, the study highlights the well adopted ITS applications among municipalities. Furthermore, it is expected that the study has the potential to shed a light on the possible improvements where the municipalities already have sufficient infrastructure but not using effectively to improve the services provided to the public.

Methodology: The study first reviewed the National Intelligent Transportation Systems Strategy Document and selected 8 topics directly related to traffic and public transportation, and directed to municipalities as the responsible agencies. Additionally, 22 more points added to increase the details of the topics provided by the strategy document. A total of 81 municipalities, 30 of which are metropolitan, have been evaluated in terms of traffic management, passenger information, accessibility and mobile applications (Table 1). Municipalities' web sites, smartphone applications, and databases, if any, were examined in order to explore the services provided to the travelers. Additionally, the municipalities were contacted directly (telephone or e-mail) to obtain information about whether some of the action items (action items 1.3.7 and 3.2.3) were provided. In the study, the municipalities’ AUS awareness was evaluated based on current and upcoming public transportation plans. Coverage of the AUS in master plans, availability, and extent of the traffic management centers, technologies for the intersection management systems are used as primary criteria for evaluating the AUS awareness and adoption for planning and management subject. Passenger information systems, which are one of the most effective AUS applications in public transportation systems, are examined under two main headings as in-vehicle and bus stop. Under these headings, visual and audio based traveler information in vehicles, in bus stops and waiting areas, as well as the presence of communication infrastructure in vehicles and bus stops are examined. Within the scope of accessibility, vehicles and bus stops were evaluated based on the current infrastructure. In addition, the presence of a system in which passengers are informed about the accessibility of the upcoming vehicles is examined with a separate criterion. In the subject of electronic payment systems, the ability to travel with a single card in the relevant public transport vehicles, balance inquiry and adding credit are examined. In the title of mobile systems, it has been examined whether the municipalities provide information through mobile applications such as the location and arrival time of the public transit vehicles.

Results and Discussion: When the results are examined, it is seen that the majority of municipalities have sufficient infrastructure and provide services in terms of passenger information and electronic payment systems. On the other hand, although some municipalities have successful applications in terms of accessibility and mobile applications, they are not well adopted by the majority of the municipalities and open to improvement. It is observed that 44% of the municipalities have a traffic management center and nearly 68% utilize intersection and corridor management systems at some level. In terms of traveler information systems, about half of the municipalities offer audio and visual information both in-vehicle and in bus stops. However, it should be noted that these services are mostly provided in vehicles owned by agencies. Accessibility is one of the topics needs serious consideration based on the results. Although the buses are accessible (39% mostly accessible, 40% somewhat accessible, 21% not accessible) in general, the bus stops and waiting areas are not well designed in terms of accessibility. On the other hand, the electronic payment system is one of the welladopted ITS applications in Turkey. Most municipalities (75%) enable the use of one card thorough most municipally owned and operated public transportation vehicles. Lastly, 44% of the municipalities have mobile applications providing a different level of information and some enabling them to check payment cards and add credit. When the existing technology and communication infrastructure of the municipalities is evaluated, it is observed that especially the data potential cannot be used effectively. Considering that data and data interpretation is one of the most valuable assets, it is especially important to collect data in regular and standard formats, to share these data with relevant stakeholders and to publish it regularly. In addition, the ITS should consider not only the development of vehicle traffic-oriented systems but also the development of systems to promote bicycle and pedestrian safety within the framework of sustainable mobility and transportation. In this context, municipalities are expected to expand the services provided for pedestrian and bicycle users.