Digital radio services specialists Intelematics Australia and Sentinel Content have begun testing a new free-to-air service which allows radio stations to deliver traffic flow information directly to motorists’ digital radios, ahead of the launch of digital radio in May next year.
The services are being demonstrated for the first time in Australia at the 2008 National Radio Conference on the Gold Coast today.
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.
While local company Sentinel, has been working with Commercial Radio Australia since March this year to develop the first live Australian demonstration of traffic reports and other traveller information broadcast over Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG). Digital radio and GPS users will be able to get access to live and real-time information about traffic congestion and petrol prices. The Sentinel service has a demonstration web site myDrive.com.au and 197drive.com.au; a premium rate SMS text message service.
The Intelematics service allows motorists to receive short text-based traffic messages or images which are broadcast in conjunction with their regular radio station programs. 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.
Intelematics CEO Adam Game, said that the flexibility of digital radio meant the service could be used a wide variety of ways.
“A radio station broadcasting commentary for a football final could send through information on traffic conditions around the ground for those travelling to the game.Other potential applications include daily travel time information on popular roads or alerts when significant accidents or other incidents occur.”
