SAFETY IMPACTS OF TRANSPORT TELEMATICS IN ROAD TRAFFIC: AN EXPLORATION OF CERTAINTIES AND UNCERTAINTIES

This article describes the main points of a study, in which the authors were involved, that analyzed state-of-the-art knowledge of safety aspects of new transportation telematics systems. The study was conducted for the Dutch National Traffic Safety Board. The impetus behind the study was the desire to use transportation infrastructure more efficiently, reduce traffic congestion, and increase traveling comfort and traffic safety. The study concluded that more information is needed about the safety aspects of telematics, and it is still unclear whether or not large-scale use of telematics will improve traffic safety. There is some concern that different types of traffic accidents might emerge from telematics use.