An emergent traffic messaging service using wireless technology

Abstract

Real-time information about traffic flow, accidents, or road availability is very important for drivers, and it is useful to implement a messaging system for supporting inter-vehicular communication. Aided by positioning instruments and ad hoc network, important messages can be sent from vehicle to vehicle to regulate traffic flow, enhance driving safety and distribute alert messages. We identified various types of broadcasting and analyzed the circumstances for broadcasting. The usefulness of broadcasting was considered in which a message about an accident is important for vehicles approaching the accident, and the information that an ambulance is coming is also important for vehicles before the ambulance. LAN and 3G provide a communication platform for messaging. Broadcasting, P2P communication and SMS are a choice for the messaging system. A prototype of the system was implemented and its application was discussed as well. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.