You are here: silicon.com > Hardware > PDAs

PDAs

High-tech solution to UK traffic problem

By Dominic Maher

Published: 4 August 1998 17:30 BST

The UK Highways Agency is to use IT to increase road safety.

Vehicles will have computers built into their dashboards so messages can be picked up from roadside radio beacons. Information can then be relayed to drivers to warn them of hazards ahead and whether they need to slow down or take an alternative route.

Terry Sullivan, group manager at the agency's traffic systems signing division, said the microwave beacons - currently being developed with GEC Marconi - will be placed at the side of roads.

Jaguar, Lucas and Rover will take care of the in-vehicle computers while the Highways Agency will deal with the infrastructure and links to existing information sources.

Sullivan said: "Receivers can be placed on windscreens, or even in the braking system of vehicles, which can send or receive data. Whether it's data on traffic congestion or the weather, the information can then be used to inform drivers on what's happening ahead."

He continued: "The receivers used will operate at 5.8GHz and are being developed to ensure European capabilities."

Trials will begin on the M4 corridor and the M25 between Gatwick and Heathrow airports at the start of next year. There is also a plan for dedicated traffic lanes for specific forms of transport.

  1. Zones
  2. Management
  3. Networks
  4. Software
  5. IT Services
  6. Hardware
  1. Verticals
  2. Public Sector
  3. Financial Services
  4. Retail & Leisure

  • Jobs
SAP Project manager required - Circa 75k

The company are easily accessible and based in an idyllic area of countryside with fantastic rail and road links to major towns and cities. A Giant ...

Operations Engineer EMC

If you have a degree or a HND in physics, electronics or communications and have a full, clean drivers licence then apply today. You must ...

MIS Analyst. Banking opportunity. London Docklands. 40-50k+benefits

This is a perfect role for someone looking for a wider career in a leading investment bank as in this type of role, you could easily make the ...

CIO50 2008
The silicon.com CIO50 2008 profiles the most influential and innovative tech chiefs in the UK across all industries and organisation size, from the biggest FTSE100 companies to high growth dot-com start ups and the public sector. The list was voted on by the UK CIO community and a panel of experts. Find out more in our latest special report.





Quick Sitemap Links: