|
|
|
|
|
|
Vehicles Draw Data from Roadside, Stoplights
|
|
|
A summer roadshow mounted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Interstate Highway System, traveled to 14 cities and demonstrated several VII applications including in-vehicle signing (IVS), signal violation warning (SVW), and signal pre-emption (SPE).
The IVS demonstration showed dynamic road condition data transmitted from roadside equipment to the vehicle, warning the driver of impediments such as approaching road construction zones or stop signs. Another demonstration highlighted an "intelligent intersection" sending real-time, instant traffic-signal phase and timing information to nearby vehicles which in turn processed this information in conjunction with onboard GPS and vehicle sensor-derived position, heading and speed data to help avoid intersection collisions. The last demonstration showed a SPE scenario automatically overriding a traffic signal as a public safety vehicle approaches the intersection.
Driver receives map-based information about intersection traffic signal as well as roadside work prior to entering a construction zone. In bottom photo, a real-time "stop" warning is sent to a driver based on the phase timing of the traffic light and the driver's proximity and speed.
| Each application included vehicle-to-roadside communications, in-vehicle signing through the onboard instrument panel display or overhead console display, and audible enunciation through the vehicle's integrated audio system. The driver received audible verbal warnings in conjunction with visual alerts.
Signal Violation Warning
The layout of the demonstration area was programmed into a vehicle's onboard navigation system as part of its roadway/map database. A Multiband Configurable Networking Unit (MCNU) connected to the intelligent intersection's signal controller transmitted stoplight status information on a 5.9 GHz DSRC channel. MCNUs in demonstration vehicles monitored the DSRC channel for any warnings or other relevant communications. The traffic signal's current phase (red, yellow, or green) and the time remaining before the next phase change were transmitted in real-time along with geofence information that defined the area of validity and direction of travel for the transmitted information. The demonstration vehicle compared the geofence information to its own location, speed, and heading and determined the relevance of received information. The driver received audible and visual warnings if the vehicle's speed and heading presented an unsafe situation given the received traffic signal phase and timing information |
|
|
| Top Technology Trends
Today's fastest-growing small business industries are taking advantage of improved technology and niche-market opportunities. Some industries that have recently experienced tremendous growth with eyebrow-raising revenue numbers for small businesses are petroleum-related businesses and GPS software providers. Small firms are capitalizing on the availability of technology that is cheaper and better – giving their small businesses the opportunity to realize growth and meaningful profits faster.
Despite record-high prices for gasoline, consumers and businesses have not been able to cut back significantly on gas-related spending. The demand for petroleum drives prices up, translating to big business and consistent growth for oil and energy-services companies. Consumers often think of the big oil companies raking in the profits, but many petroleum-related small businesses have seen the high tide raise all ships. VAALCO Energy is a relatively small independent company enjoying big success right now as it focuses on the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and gas. Firms providing gasoline and crude oil transportation or related peripheral services such as storage of crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products have also seen their businesses grow.
GPS and related software companies have recently found a soft spot too. Several Internet software providers have found success riding the coattails of a somewhat surprising rise in spending for fuel. Companies found success by catering to the need for optimized operating systems with increased GPS network monitoring. Companies such as Qualcomm have had success by creating and managing online tracking for other businesses. These companies provide transportation services to every industry.One of the driving forces behind GPS technology's astounding growth is it's ability to save dramatically on fuel cost for fleets immediately. Whether it is developing technology or helping other businesses track and manage their customers more efficiently growth is occurring in the industries where businesses are using technology to respond to the needs of their customers.
Trends for Small Businesses in 2007
Technology eliminates many hurdles that have previously impeded the ability of small businesses to compete on a large scale. Today most successful small businesses are using technology to solve administrative, security or technical challenges, using marketing partnerships to help generate new business, and using consultants to ease the accounting and management burden, thus enabling the core business to remain more focused on serving the needs of its customers and growing revenue.
Beyond maintaining a perfunctory website, the biggest must have for a modern small business is a management maximization strategy. Fleets that want to maximize their growth potential must make a serious commitment of time and their operating budget to ensure they are putting themselves in the best position possible to develop new business. Because millions of small businesses are introduced to new business opportunities, companies need to dedicate a significant amount of resources to ensure efficeincy and profitbility. Fleets must pay close attention to the costs of organizational growth and the costs of generating new business. Many small businesses have turned to GPS tracking to help manage and predict expenses. Companies are outsourcing hoping to maximize revenue and reduce the costs of operations,
Another must have is a way to manage corporate security. Small businesses cannot afford to be naďve when it comes to protecting their property and employees. Businesses must ensure the best possible safety and operational contingencies are in place and tested. The last thing an existing or new customer wants to hear is their order did not get delivered because their information was lost. For a small business to feel secure means information is completely protected and essential technology is backed-up.
Not every small business can afford to outsource financial accounting and other administrative aspects of managing the company. Some companies succeed using a combination approach -- doing what they do best and offloading that which is better left to outside experts. Because it is a fundamental part of running a business, it is generally a good idea for senior management to understand the company's operations intimately. Yet it makes sense to consult an outside expert who might be able to assist in getting the tracking, reporting and compliance on the right track. Companies that are successful find the right cost/reward balance, allowing the business the time and resources to focus on revenue-geared core competencies of sales and customer service.GPS technology gathers all the information to allow for every level in fleet management to make intelligent informed decisions.
Any company, regardless of its size, should have a vision of what it needs to grow its business while managing the costs of doing business. If it is going to survive, every business needs a solid plan for maximization of resources, marketing to generate new business, maintaining corporate security, and maintaining financial integrity and product quality amidst growth.GPS tracking gives any company the power to manage at peak performance
|
|
|
Since 1988, fatalities and injuries per mile of road traveled have decreased almost 3 percent per year. However, despite continued advancements in safety that include crumple zones, airbags, crash dummies, three-point seat belts, and a host of other innovations, 1.2 million people died last year in crashes around the world.
While the miles we drive get safer, road congestion has reached critical levels. In the United States, an estimated $230 billion of economic losses are attributed each year to accidents and traffic jams. Traffic delays account for five billion gallons of wasted fuel annually across the country.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and many in the automobile industry believe the next big leap in highway safety and mobility will come from the integration of GPS and wireless high-speed communications. Live demonstrations conducted in venues across the country offer a glimpse of this future roadway.
Figure 1 A car speeding toward a red light receives a safety warning and the vehicle immediately alerts other nearby vehicles of the impending hazard.
| The DOT's Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) initiative uses vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-roadside communications to investigate technology's potential to reduce the frequency or severity of collisions and improve mobility on U.S. roads. Most safety techniques envisioned by VII use GPS to avoid accidents at intersections (see FIGURE 1), reduce danger within roadside construction zones, and keep cars from unintentionally leaving the road.
Research and standardization for VII that began in the 1990s are nearing fruition, with demonstrable equipment and software. These components are being assembled under VII proof of concept (POC) testing in 2007. A decision by the DOT and vehicle manufacturers on full-scale deployment is expected in late 2008, with potential introduction of VII equipment in vehicles early next decade.
Radio Band. VII depends on fast, efficient communications service supported by 75 MHz of radio spectrum recently authorized by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) at 5.9 GHz. The FCC specifically allocated the use of this spectrum for Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) in 2003 to improve driving safety and mobility. Communications protocols for DSRC are being standardized under the auspices of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 working group. This new IEEE 802.11p service will enable communications for vehicles moving at speeds of up to 120 miles per hour — not to suggest that driving this fast should be considered safe !
Prototype Onboard equipment (OBE) for testing only
| DSRC is a relatively short-range, high-bandwidth, low-latency communications technology, suiting it well for a role as the radio link among fast-moving vehicles and between vehicles and roadside transceivers. The promise of DSRC lies in the array of potentially life-saving features and functions that it can enable. To achieve its potential, the communications protocols, data security, and applications of DSRC rely on GPS-based timing and positioning information.
Vehicles will be outfitted with on-board equipment (OBE) housing a sophisticated processor, GPS receiver, and DSRC transceiver. The OBE can tap into the vehicle's array of available sensors, which already help to control and maintain vehicle operations, including monitoring traction control and antilock braking or measuring air temperature near the road surface. These and other relevant data, coupled with additional information provided by the GPS receiver — including the vehicle's exact position, speed, acceleration, and heading — will help operation centers measure traffic congestion, execute traffic control measures, and relay information on road conditions to drivers.
|
|
http://www.willowspringsconsultants.com/images/GPSTracking_01.jpg
|
|
|
|
Meets consumer demand for accurate, value-added, real-time traffic information
JERSEY CITY, NJ and KIRKLAND, WA. - June 26, 2007 - Telmap, a leading provider of mobile mapping and navigation solutions, and INRIX, the leading provider of traffic information, today announced the integration of INRIX real-time and predictive traffic speeds as well as incident solutions in the Telmap Navigator application. The enhancement offers both business users and consumers a superior traffic-influenced navigation experience on GPS-enabled mobile devices.
The INRIX solution will provide end-to-end traffic information for mobile phones equipped with the Telmap program, enabling traffic-influenced routing and maps across more metropolitan markets nationwide than any other traffic information provider. The private label solution will be deployed by Telmap’s industry-leading cellular operators and handset manufacturer partners
“We selected INRIX to deliver a traffic information solution that can provide the broadest market coverage and highest-quality traffic information available on any mobile mapping and navigation application,” said Oren Nissim, CEO of Telmap. “This enhancement to Telmap Navigator complements our turn-by-turn navigation, location-based search and other advanced capabilities to equip cell phone users with a single comprehensive package that simplifies the process of getting around.”
Telmap Navigator is a complete GPS navigation solution that provides guidance with voice, graphics and text. It allows subscribers to navigate in-car or on foot, with free-text local search and enhanced address search capabilities that include auto-complete and fuzzy matching to generate accurate results even from minimal or misspelled entries. . The Telmap solution is the only commercially available cross-platform product in its class, bringing navigation to both resource-constrained devices and high-end smart phones on platforms including Symbian, Java, BREW, Windows and BlackBerry.
Enhanced with INRIX real-time and predictive traffic information for 94 markets in the U.S. and incident information in over 122 markets, routes delivered via Telmap Navigator can be optimized for speed or distance offering users the best route possible. Additionally, customers using Telmap Navigator can view traffic maps of their city, highlighting congested and non-congested roadways.
“Drivers everywhere are eager to avoid traffic congestion that wastes time as well as fuel, and integrating traffic information with mobile navigation devices is a logical solution to the problem,” commented INRIX CEO, Bryan Mistele. “Telmap’s server-based approach coupled with INRIX’s innovative traffic information technology make this a natural partnership.”
About Telmap
Telmap is a developer of award-winning, location-based mobile mapping and navigation solutions that deliver turn-by-turn driving and walking directions, points-of-interest search and content sharing from the mobile phone — all in real time. Telmap’s server-based technology offers the industry’s easiest navigation experience, most comprehensive global geographic coverage and premium content, voice/graphic/text instructions, traffic information and traffic-aware routing, and exclusive cross-platform support for Symbian, Java, BREW, Windows and BlackBerry devices. The company’s flagship product, Telmap Navigator, is the most widely deployed navigation service with implementations by leading wireless operators and handset manufacturers around the world, including Vodafone subsidiaries, Mobilcom and,Sprint/Nextel under the brand name MapQuest Navigator through a partnership with MapQuest. Telmap was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Israel with offices in the US, the UK and Finland. For more information, visit www.telmap.com.
About INRIX
INRIX is the leading provider of accurate real-time, historical and predictive traffic information nationwide, providing industry partners and customers with the highest quality data and broadest coverage available for personal navigation, mapping, and other location-based service applications in the car, online and on mobile devices.
INRIX Traffic Services leverage sophisticated statistical analysis techniques, originally developed by Microsoft Research, to aggregate and enhance traffic-related information from hundreds of public and private sources, going well beyond the limitations of static road sensor networks, historical-based models and cellular data aggregators, to offer customers the most sophisticated understanding of the unique system-wide traffic patterns in each metropolitan area. Additionally, INRIX offers real-time incident data for 122 markets across the country. To experience the traffic technology revolution behind the next generation of navigation and location-based service applications, visit www.inrix.com. |
|
|
|
