This paper reviews an advanced traveler information, advisory, and emergency notification and security service being designed and tested by NYNEX Venture Company in collaboration with other private companies, state and local agencies, and a university. This service, known as Project NorthStar, has been tested in the New York City metropolitan area with the use of cellular telephony, global positioning system (GPS) technology, and a geographical information system (GIS). Details of the services provided by the system are provided. These include: a) emergency roadside services (ERS); b) traveler information assistance (TIA); c) vehicle tracking assistance (VTA); d) personalized incident ALERT service (PIA); and e) position enhanced cellular 911 services (PEC 911), where a call goes direct to the police. A method for evaluating the systems, including their cost, is presented. The results of a survey undertaken to evaluate ease of use is presented. (A)
Abstract