Development of the radio data system traffic message channel.

The Radio Data System (RDS) is currently being introduced throughout Europe. A description is given of the results of work carried out on the RDS-ALERT project aiming to establish internationally accepted standards for transmitting traffic messages using RDS-TMC (Traffic Message Channel). It is described how the project team is working to maximise the potential benefits of RDS-TMC. The conclusions and recommendations include a description of the tests being carried out in the project, the protocol features currently developed, and the tasks remaining before the TMC service can be implemented on-air across Europe.