This article first appeared in Go Auto News
Intelematics partners with US firm to fast-track traffic information systems for motorists
Smooth traffic flow with quicker travel times, lower emission and lower fuel use and freedom from being locked inside a car in congested city roadways is coming to Australia through the work of local company Intelematics and its new partner, US-based Traffic Technology Services.
Together, the mobility and traffic technology company Intelematics and Traffic Technology Services (TTS) are poised to bring predictive traffic signalling technology to Australia.
Intelematics CEO Nick Marks, speaking exclusively with GoAutoNews Premium, said predictive traffic signalling is the result of road authorities sharing live traffic signal and freeway signage data with motorists.
He said it was a new category of vehicle safety technologies that promises to optimise road networks and improve driver safety.
“It allows us to predict and dynamically respond to changing road conditions,” he said.
“By giving road authorities the ability to see traffic flows in real time and drivers the ability to make more informed decisions when on the road, we will be creating smarter, safer and more efficient road networks.”
TTS is the leading provider of infrastructure content for connected vehicles in the US and Europe. Its core service solutions includes Personal Signal Assistant (PSA) and Personal Freeway Assistant (PFA) that are used by companies including the Volkswagen Group (which includes Volkswagen, Audi, Lamborghini and Bentley), Mercedes-Benz and Ford.
TTS’s service is used in more than 110 metro regions at more than 60,000 signalised intersections in the US, Canada, Germany, Austria, Norway, France and China. The size of its footprint overseas will provide a springboard for its introduction to Australia.
Mr Marks said that Australia will be the first region in the Asia-Pacific region to trial TTS’ PSA and PFA solutions.
Intelematics – owned by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria – will work with OEMs and state-based road authorities to evaluate and roll out the technologies.
“As a leader in mobility and traffic technology, we are pleased to be at the forefront of this safety evolution and partnering with TTS, vehicle manufacturers and state road authorities to bring the benefits of this technology to life in Australia,” he adds.
For TTS, Australia is an ideal location to trial – and then implement – the predictive system.
TTS CEO Thomas Bauer, said in a statement that: “Australian metro areas have many long, signalised corridors that carry high volumes of passengers and freight.
“This means Australia is primed for the adoption of predictive traffic signalling technologies and is the perfect launchpad for TTS’s expansion of this important technology into Asia-Pacific.”
He said that partnering with Intelematics introduces synergies and specialist expertise with OEMs and governments.
“We believe this partnership can help to advance vehicle and road safety in Australia and ultimately save more lives,” Mr Bauer said.
Mr Marks said Intelematics have very good relationships with the road authorities through previous involvement and that working with them is “something we’re very keen to pursue.”
“We also have strong relationships with some OEMs – Toyota being one – so we would be keen to involve these in the development of the system for Australia,” he said.
Mr Marks said the timing for the pilot stage of the predictive traffic signalling technology would come down to getting road authorities and OEMs to come together and plan a roll-out.
He said because it would involve each state-based road authority – the road system administration is a state duty and not federal – it added to the complexity. However, he saw a role here for organisations such as the Australian Automobile Association and its state clubs.
The partnership with TTS is the second global technology partnership announced by Intelematics in the past 12 months, following an agreement with global IoT solutions provider, Aeris.
This aims to bring Aeris’ connected vehicle platform, the Aeris Mobility Suite (AMS), to local vehicle manufacturers and distributors in Australia and New Zealand.
Intelematics had aimed to conduct proof of concept trials for AMS in Australia this year but is being delayed because of global vehicle supply-chain issues.
What it all means
Personal Signal Assistant (PSA): provides predictive traffic signal data which tells drivers when lights will change before they reach an intersection – allowing them to prepare and slow down.
Personal Freeway Assistant (PFA): brings live freeway information, such as speed limit or lane closure data, to the driver via their dashboard – ensuring they can make informed decisions before they reach busy intersections, approach accidents or encounter roadworks.
