IN-VEHICLE TRAFFIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN EUROPE : NEVER MIND THE (BAND)WIDTH

In this paper, the authors first discuss the market for in-vehicle traffic information. This is followed by an overview of current data dissemination technologies as well as future dissemination methods. Current methods described include Radio Data System - Enhanced Other Networks (RDS-EON), RDS=TMC (Traffic Message Channel), the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). Future methods include digital audio broadcasting (DAB), General Radio Packet Radio System (GPRS) and Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (EDGE), and Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The impact of quality services on the willingness to pay for this information is then examined by looking at the two-year demonstration TMC experience.