This paper describes the UK demonstration of RDS-TMC (Radio Data Service - Traffic Message Channel) and discusses various aspects of it. RDS-TMC uses spare bandwidth in FM radio broadcasts to provide digital traffic information. This is done through the ALERT-C protocol, which uses a standard set of event codes, also a location code to define digitally the location of traffic problems. RDS-TMC has been tested extensively and supported widely throughout Europe, and in the UK it has been supported strongly by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and the Highways Agency (HA). The main barriers to fully implementing RDS-TMC in the UK are not technical but commercial, marketing, and institutional. Thus RDS-TMC needs a demonstration, and the DETR commissioned consultants Oscar Faber to develop a plan for such a demonstration. The main aim is to answer the remaining questions associated with implementing sustainable RDS-TMC services in the UK, by providing market feedback from real drivers in real cars using a real service. The demonstration will involve at least 1000 drivers; the paper describes the roles of its public and private partners, and outlines the service that they will provide. It outlines the demonstration's current status, and describes the next steps towards fully sustained services.
Samenvatting