BT brings networks to cars
New research project could mean a moving info superhighway
BT's research department is investigating the possibilities of using vehicles on the UK's roads to create a large-scale communications network.
BT's Traffimatics research project, which is part-funded by the DTI, has been looking at ways to send information from one vehicle to another, to benefit both drivers and organisations such as traffic control centres.
This is made possible by the formation of two networks - an internal network within each individual vehicle that can read potentially useful data from the vehicle, and an external network made up by a number of moving vehicles, connected by wireless LAN technology - that can pass on that information. The research is now being used to build a prototype.
Mike Carr, director, research and venturing, BT said, "Traffimatics examines how the combination of standard in-vehicle networks and sensors, cheap wireless LAN technologies and web services can be combined to disseminate important data from a vehicle to help improve traffic control, road safety and other useful and inexpensive motoring services to drivers. These might include real-time traffic and weather information, or back-seat entertainment, such as access to the web or online inter-vehicle chat."
The project also points to other benefits of joined-up communication on the roads, including to society and the environment. Better information on the volume and type of traffic will help governments implement road toll schemes where they will be most effective. The use of such information will also help to control congestion, shorten journey times and ensure optimum fuel consumption resulting in lower pollution levels. For this reason, the project has recently been put forward for a BT 2004 Sustainability Award nomination.
The new prototype solution, which is based on open standards, is set to be cost-effective to build, because it uses off-the-shelf components and open-source software to implement an on-board platform. It will also include traffic control applications such as a parking-space finder, and a system that can detect traffic jams, road congestion and obstacles on the road, all based on data related to the vehicle's position.
The research project is being carried out by BT in partnership with academic and industrial organisations including Nottingham Trent University, Shadow Creek Consulting and Influx Technologies.
Muppets at BT said:
The project also points to other benefits of joined-up communication on the roads, including to society and the environment. Better information on the volume and type of traffic will help governments implement road toll schemes where they will be most effective. The use of such information will also help to control congestion, shorten journey times and ensure optimum fuel consumption resulting in lower pollution levels. For this reason, the project has recently been put forward for a BT 2004 Sustainability Award nomination.
Nanny state 
But they think inter-car chat and web browsing is fine, I guess as long as you're not over the speed limit weaving around the road while browsing eBay if fine then.....
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