This article outlines a research and development programme in Finland aimed at developing real-time traffic and transport information. Five sub-programmes are described: public transport information, goods transport information, transport network status information, driver support, and service framework. The first four of these concentrate on enhancing the collection, management and utilisation of real-time information, while the service framework concentrates on the common legal, organisational and other issues. Some results from the research programme are described: a service warning drivers of slippery roads or other sudden changes in driving conditions; analysis of public sector provision of information services and proposal of private sector alternatives; an ITS (intelligent transport system) service evaluation framework; and a test environment for the eCall emergency service. (Author/publisher).
Samenvatting