This article considers the potential of digital communications in intelligent transport systems (ITS) to deliver integrated services. New technology has become necessary because of increasing traffic and the need to carry three distinct services - voice, video and data. Using digital techniques, a distributed network can be designed in modular form, reducing complexity and making it easy and cost-effective to facilitate system growth as required. Three implementation scenarios for the future are considered: public networks, private networks and an amalgamation of the two, this last being the most desirable short- to medium-term solution. Costs could be reduced by laying cable during planned roadworks and by collaborating with other telecommunications users. Potential benefits include real-time publicly available traffic and transport information. Future integrated ITS includes speed adaptation, route guidance, cruise control, and remote vehicle monitoring and diagnostics. For the covering abstract see ITRD E118381.
Samenvatting