DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is a standardised technology and the roll-out of DAB infrastructure means that there is an opportunity to deliver a wide range of ITS (Intelligent Transport Services) services, building on the positive results of on-going trials. DAB is particularly suited to ITS applications because it offers robust mobile reception, allows audio, data, image and video transmission, and vehicle manufacturers are now developing multimedia applications for future products. Furthermore, DAB technology is ready and a wide range of DAB products are already available on the market. In order to demonstrate the technical and commercial feasibility together with the benefits of the DAB-based added-value ITS services on the European scale, a consortium is being formed and a 2 year project is planned, bringing together around 40 partners, representing the complete ITS delivery chain. It will showcase DAB-based ITS services and products at the EXPO2000 in Hanover and at the year 2000 ITS World Congress in Turin. The envisaged time-scale for introducing substantial commercial services is three to five years. Possible data services are enhanced, precise and easy to use traffic information, images of the traffic situation, travel and tourist information and the possibility to update TMC-tables or software. The growing market of in-car navigation systems can profit from new forms of dynamic navigation and updates of digital maps via DAB. When combining DAB with a return channel (e.g. GSM), mobile interactive ITS services like reservations and multimodal trip planning can be realised. Even mobile Internet and the reception of emails is possible, thus the vision of the "mobile home" comes true. (A*)
Abstract