Digital Radio Gives On-The-Spot Traffic Conditions

RACV subsidiary Intelematics has begun testing a new free-to-air service that will allow radio stations to deliver traffic flow information directly to motorists’ digital radios, including time taken to travel along motorways and major arterial roads.

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Intelematics, which already provides the SUNA real-time traffic service for portable GPS navigation devices, expects to launch the service in Australia next year. To receive the service, motorists would just need a digital receiver or device with a Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB+) chip and tune in to a supporting radio station.

The digital radio service allows motorists to receive short text-based traffic messages or images which are broadcast in conjunction with their regular radio station programs tellling them of accidents and road closures, as well as how much traffic is on the road. Intelematics provides the information by accessing raw traffic flow data from a network of sensors embedded in the road to deliver real travel time information along major city arterials.

The Australian commercial radio industry is set to launch digital broadcasting in five capital cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth in May 2009.