TMC, Conrad Anderson UK

TMC

Traffic information service based on Traffic Message Channel (TMC) now available in Great Britain – VDO Dayton shows dynamic route guidance
(1st March 2002)

TMC is increasingly developing into a pan-European service which is deemed to represent the future. TMC-based traffic information is permanently broadcast and continuously updated. The information can be called up at any time without the need to adhere to the 30 minute cycles of the radio stations. Today, all VDO Dayton navigation systems already enable TMC-based dynamic route guidance in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the USA. From now on the service will be available also in Great Britain, Austria and Spain.

With its multimedia systems and their modular structure, VDO Dayton is the only supplier among its competitors to offer vehicle navigation with dynamic routing in all market segments. This ranges from the MS 3100 entry-level model, a stand-alone navigation system with monochrome display, via the dynamic 1 DIN navigation radios MS 4100 and MS 4200 (with integrated TMC receiver) up to the MS 5000 and MS 6000 top-end multimedia systems with high resolution colour displays. With the top-end multimedia systems all by the optional MT 5010 TMC receiver received traffic congestion is shown on the display. Here all relevant traffic information for the planned route is given prominence in red as well being notified by voice. Additionally there is now a TMC look-up icon which can be used to click on all the traffic-symbols in the mapscreen. This opens another window with detailed information on the position, length and cause of the traffic hold-up. In addition, the driver is able to call up a traffic report for his whole route which lists all TMC reports between start and destination. Furthermore, the new update allows all TMC stations which can be received to be shown. The customers can select the station they prefer. When the vehicle approaches the jam, the navigation systems draw attention to this by voice message and recommend an alternative route. By doing this, the system continues to give the driver freedom of choice – he can decide whether he wants to accept or reject a calculated route. For better decision, MS 5000 and MS 6000 display the effect on travel time and distance needed for the alternative route so that the driver can make a choice between motorway and diversion in good time.