Road Traffic and Travel Information

Abstract

Abstract Road Traffic and Travel Information, in some publications “Real‐Time Traffic Information,” (RTTI) stands for all information that drivers need to plan their journeys, carry them out, and reach their destinations safely and in time. In this context, the focus is on road traffic although extension onto other transport modes such as rail and air could be advisable. Intermodality would be a useful complement to exploit all possible transport facilities. The limitation on road transport is due to better explain existing RTTI systems, their possibilities and problems, and emerging new developments. This report deals with static, semidynamic and dynamic types of information: how can they be obtained, collected, verified, and distributed to all interested actors such as road operators, fleet operators, information services, and drivers as end users. Historic developments in information services have led to different actors being seen, in European and non‐European countries, pursuing different and sometimes competing interests. As a result, various topologies of RTTI systems exist. “Interoperability” is needed at least in the interface to the driver. This is a political requirement owed to the targets to improve traffic safety, minimize transport costs and negative effects on environmental conditions, and to alleviate them to increase trans‐border mobility and traffic. Safety‐relevant RTTI should be accessed by drivers as end‐users without additional costs, as required by European Directives. This chapter compiles important results recently published from different sources.