Development and evaluation of a route guidance system with realtime traffic information

The “Reading Area Transport Information Network” project has been focused on the delivery of an enhanced unified communications network for Reading Borough Council using WiMax/Wi-Fi and on the use of the latest 3G communication capability to better deliver existing transport services and to provide a platform for the delivery of enhanced services in the future. The in-vehicle navigation sub-project reported is the first UK development project on vehicle navigation using real-time traffic information, which involved the development of a navigation system which integrated real time traffic information on delays and incidents from city council's Urban Transport Management and Control (UTMC) system with a satellite navigation system. Using portable computer as a platform, the in-vehicle navigation service was trialled by professional drivers on their delivery journeys between an out of town depot and a town centre store in Reading. The technical reliability and user acceptance of diversion routes provided by the navigation system to avoid congestion were evaluated. The results demonstrated the feasibility of integrating UTMC traffic information into in-vehicle navigation systems.