Student Opportunities

Welcome! In ITS Rocky Mountain's continuing efforts to improve the surface transportation system throughout the member states via research, development, and application of intelligent transportation technologies, the Board of Directors initiated a Student Outreach Program in 2003. This program follows on the heels of ITS America's decision to discontinue support of ITS Student Chapters at the national level. ITS Rocky Mountain feels that our students are our future and have consequently committed to (1) facilitating Intelligent Transportation Systems education; (2) supporting area ITS Student Chapters; and (3) providing an annual Student Scholarship/Paper Award.

How do I get involved? Full-time undergraduate or graduate students can become members of the Chapter for a $25.00 annual fee. However, it is important to note that this fee is waived if the student is a member of an ITS Rocky Mountain Student Chapter. To locate a Student Chapter at your college or university you can email ITS Rocky Mountain at studentinfo@itsrm.org. If a Student Chapter does not currently exist at your school, you can start one. Simply download our Establishing an ITS Rocky Mountain Student Chapter Guide and get started!

Annual Conference Fee Waivers. A number of registration fee waivers as well as small travel stipends are available to ITS Rocky Mountain student members to attend regional and national ITS events - the National Rural ITS Conference or ITS America's Annual Meeting are two examples. If you wish to be considered for a registration waiver or travel stipend, please email your request along with your name and contact information to studentinfo@itsrm.org.

Paper Award & Scholarship Competition. The ITS Rocky Mountain Chapter offers an annual Student Paper Award and Scholarship. The Award recipient will receive a $500 travel award to be used to attend the annual Chapter meeting and a $500 scholarship. All winning essays will be published in the ITS Rocky Mountain Newsletter and on the Chapter website. Pending funding availability, the Chapter reserves the right to provide more than one award per year. Eligibility and submission details are below.

Even-Numbered Years (i.e., 2012). Receive transportation, hotel accommodations, complimentary registration and expenses (not to exceed $500) to attend the Spring Transportation Symposium to be held April 2012 in Denver, Colorado. Award recipients will also receive an invitation to present the winning essay during the Symposium.

Odd-Numbered Years (i.e., 2013). Receive transportation, hotel accommodations, complimentary registration and expenses (not to exceed $500) to attend the 2013 National Rural ITS conference. Award recipients will also receive an invitation to present the winning essay during the conference.

Eligibility -

• Must be a student member of ITS Rocky Mountain at the time of submittal.
• Must provide an official transcript from the student's current school.
• Entries shall be limited to one paper per student per year.
• Student must have completed the work that provides the basis for the paper or had significant involvement in a portion or phase of the work that the paper is based on.
• Student must be the primary author.

2012 Paper Topic and Format -

• Paper must address an Intelligent Transportation System subject and be no more than fifteen double-spaced, typed pages with one-inch margins.
• A table of contents and complete bibliography (if appropriate) should be included.
• Title page must include: title of the paper, author's name, school, mailing address, phone number(s) and email address.
• The completed paper must be submitted electronically (CD or email) to the following address: ITS Rocky Mountain Chapter, c/o Meetings Northwest, LLC, PO Box 2083, Missoula, MT 59806, Attn: Student Paper Award or studentinfo@itsrm.org.
• Submittals for the upcoming award year (2012) must be received no later than Monday, April 2, 2012. (Winners will be notified by Monday May 7, 2012)

Questions or Comments? This site will continually adapt as the number of ITS Rocky Mountain Student Chapters increase. It will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, reporting of Chapter activities, etc. Please feel welcome to provide your ideas and input - email us at web@itsrm.org.