TRANSPORT TELEMATICS - THE ROAD USERS' VIEW - EUROPEAN ASSESSMENT

Electronic data processing, which has seen a rapid development recently, has now also spread to road transport and traffic, where it has become known as information electronics or telematics. It is partly a logical consequence of the technical development, partly a necessity arising from the call for an improvement of efficiency, safety and environmental quality of transport, and partly a means to offer new services to road users, possibly against payment (comfort). New accident rescue, emergency service and breakdown assistance systems will in future also gain importance, as will the improved interaction between different transport networks (interoperability) and transport modes (intermodality). Telematics has stood the test as a means to control variable message signs, as reduced congestion and accident rates show. Telematics as an instrument to improve existing information systems (car radio, traffic information via telephone, information pools/terminals) is a logical consequence of the deficiencies of these systems the reliability, handling and speed of which have repeatedly been criticized. Problems still unsolved, however, are the standardization on a European level, responsibilities and the necessary interaction between traditional non-automated information services and the new technologies. Telematics technologies for new services and individual transport management and guidance systems supporting cellular radio technologies or advanced systems establishing a dialogue between driver and service centre (e.g. SOCRATES) are still being tested. In view of the deficiencies of existing information and other services, the market potential of such systems is quite promising. Telematics for emergency call and breakdown assistance systems may be regarded as a waste product but, as part of most concepts based on the dialogue between road users and a service centre, helps to avoid acceptancy problems. A working group set up by the automobile clubs has defined these assessment criteria: 1) reduced and/or guaranteed travel time; 2) reduced time losses; 3) reduced costs; 4) improved travel comfort; 5) more operation safety, improved emergency service; 6) less road haulage; 7) more road safety; and 8) fewer accidents. If telematics applications for new individualized information services are introduced, it must be ensured that their use is voluntary for road users, that no monopolies are created and that the added value achieved is clearly visible and transparent.