A Brief Overview Of The California Alliance For Advanced Transportation Systems (CAATS)

About The Organization
The California Alliance for Advanced Transportation Systems (CAATS) is a not-for-profit, private-public organization – 501(c)(3).

Mission Statement
The California Alliance for Advanced Transportation Systems (CAATS) is a public/private partnership formed to foster the development and deployment of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) in California.

CAATS seeks to educate both the private and public sectors about the merits of advanced transportation systems deployment within the State of California. We serve as a forum for industry-wide networking linking manufacturers, service providers, and users together in industry-driven initiatives for accelerating the deployment and commercialization of advanced transportation systems. Specifically, CAATS specializes in facilitating partnership actions that unite technology and commercial product providers and public agencies for creating efficient transportation systems. These partnerships are industry-driven working to establish and maintain California as a world leader in ATS research, development, deployment and commercialization. We hope to add value through these efforts to our targeted constituencies that include transportation agencies, private industry, elected officials, and users, to improve public services and promote opportunities for private investment.

Formation of CAATS
CAATS, established in 1994 through the collaborative efforts of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Project California and the California Council on Science and Technology, received start-up funds provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Caltrans and private industry. This initial funding was augmented in 1997 when CAATS received a 3-year contract from Caltrans to continue its mission. Membership fees and program events provide additional operational funding. Currently, membership totals almost 600 persons and consists of about 40 public sector agencies, 40 industrial corporations and individual members interested in advanced transportation technology. Approximately 60 percent of operating funds currently come from public sector support and the remainder from the private sector. The near-term goal is a fifty-fifty funding mix.

The CAATS Board of Directors, currently consisting of 24 public and private sector executives and elected by the membership, directs the organization. A President & Chief Executive Officer, hired by the Board of Directors, manages the day-to-day activities of the organization and works with the Board to develop strategic plans, organizational programs and services and to actively form partnerships to sponsor ITS deployments. Although business operations are located in Sacramento, organization activities are carried out throughout the State of California.