Development of a road/automobile communication system

The needs for road traffic information have been increasing due to the rapid development of road transportation and the growing concern for information. At the same time, technological advances have improved the performance and reduced the costs of information devices and have enabled the development of new systems that were not economically feasible before. The author studied a new information system using road/automobile communication to increase road-users' convenience. The proposed system consists of a navigation system, a dynamic information system, and an individual communication system. It starts with in-car navigation devices and roadside beacons for positioning, and gradually grows into a total system. The first field experiment by governmental agencies and private companies to examine the feasibility of the system was held in March 1987. The improvement of the system is now under way.