An Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) is the integration of technology, information processing and communication that leads to easier travel, increased safety and savings in time and transportation expenses.

In the late 1980's, Georgia began discussing the concept of ITS to maximize the efficiency of current and future transportation systems. Atlanta's winning bid for the 1996 Olympics was the catalyst for an early start. By January 1996, the Transportation Management Center (TMC) was open. It became operational in April of 1996 marking the introduction of NaviGAtor.