A TRAFFIC INFORMATION SYSTEM BY MEANS OF REAL-TIME FLOATING-CAR DATA

The paper outlines the architecture and applications of a real-time traffic information system using Floating Car Data (FCD).The proposed system uses synergies from the GPS (Global Positioning System) based fleet disposition exploiting position data of several hundred vehicles of a taxi companies in Berlin, Nuremberg and Vienna.In order to manage the client disposition each taxi has to send the GPS position to the taxi head quarters at least once per minute, therefore acting as a FCD-probe vehicle.The procedure leads to a nearly complete data coverage of all major roads in the above mentioned urban areas, at almost no costs.In that context, a FCD traffic information system were designed and implemented.In contrast to conventional systems, the FCD approach allows a realistic travel time and optimal route calculation for individual and commercial road users.Since May 2001, the developed real-time traffic information system is in operation for the Berlin region.Further applications are running for the Austrian capital Vienna and the City of Nuremberg.