The federal government is hoping to play traffic cop in a new program that would add information technology to traffic systems. But some cities are balking because the program would force local agencies to share data, equipment and revenues with a private company.

The Intelligent Transportation Infrastructure Program (ITIP) will likely encounter resistance, especially after its developers announced an addition to the project that would involve commercial service provider Traffic.com.

Federal Highway Administration officials posted a Federal Register notice Oct. 19 that asks certain state and local governments to enroll in a continuation of the 1999 ITIP transportation surveillance program.

According to the government, a nationwide, integrated intelligent transportation system (ITS) based on public/private cooperation is crucial for saving lives on the roads. Under this new partnership, federal officials hope to aid local planning efforts and monitor national traffic congestion levels. The program will help as many as 11 cities enhance traffic analysis and data management.

Las Vegas, Miami, New York City, Orlando and Salt Lake City will have first priority to join the program's existing participants, which include Chicago, Tampa, Boston and Los Angeles.

Miami, Orlando and New York City opted not to participate in the 1999 federal program because it would have hampered their current intelligent transportation initiatives. The cities in Florida plan to decline the new opportunity, too.

Miami and Orlando officials fear Traffic.com may drive out their existing business partners or make individuals pay for information. Under federal rules, cities participating in the program must sign on with Traffic.com.

The New York City Department of Transportation shares those concerns about upsetting potential business partners and charging users. However, New York officials have not made a final decision about whether to take part in the new program.

New York City's DOT and Transcom, a 16-member coalition of transportation agencies, already post free, real-time traffic data at www.trips123.com.

In addition, New York City transportation officials said they opted out of the 1999 program because the federal government already contributes $20 million annually for the maintenance and operation of all ITS devices, including 6,000 computer- controlled traffic signals. The new federal program would grant each city no more than $2 million.

"With ITIP as a stand-alone, we would be effectively competing against ourselves," said John Tipaldo, director of systems engineering and communications at New York City's DOT. "In addition, the amount of coverage for the proposed money would not be enough for a stand-alone regional system, not even close."