Mannesmann Autocom Announces Mobilfunk Traffic Info Service
11 September 1997
Don't Waste Any Time!
Passo and Passo Fleet: Innovative Traffic Telematics Services From
Mannesmann Autocom
DUSSELDORF, Germany, Sept. 11 -- Mannesmann Autocom's slogan
is: Passo - Don't waste any time! The reason being that particularly on the
road far too much time is wasted -- whether in a traffic jam, waiting for the
breakdown service or as a result of insufficient route planning. The effect:
German motorists spend an increasing amount of time in the vehicle, and, in
fact, involuntarily.
Here, Mannesmann Autocom, a 100% subsidiary of Mannesmann Eurokom, comes,
in by offering numerous innovative traffic telematics services. They all
serve solely one objective: to enable motorists to drive in constantly flowing
traffic, safely, economically and in an environmentally friendly manner.
The Passo Traffic Information Service is one example. Customers connected
to the D2-network via Mannesmann Mobilfunk and service providers can obtain
detailed information on traffic jams and congestions on German highways and
major roads by dialling the special D2-number "22666" -- 24 hours a day and
always up to date. The benefit of this service: Customers can specifically
select the information relevant for their requirements -- simply by using the
keyboard. The service "Tour information" is particularly customer-oriented.
A user merely has to indicate starting point and destination. He then
immediately receives a precise description of the traffic situation along his
route; Mannesmann Autocom always provides an accurate picture of the traffic
situation.
Customers can also request information concerning conurbations or traffic
situations on particular routes. An important point is that each motorist
only receives the information he actually requires. These traffic reports are
not only available via mobile phones. The Passo Traffic Information Services
can as well be accessed using various telematics terminals -- e.g. the VDO
MobiMax or Polestar from Peiker. MobiMax provides the information as text on
a display, while Polestar supports voice output
For its services Mannesmann Autocom uses the satellite-based positioning
system GPS (Global Positioning System) and the mobile communications standard
GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), which Mannesmann Mobilfunk is
already using successfully for its D2 network. This means that the
information processed by Mannesmann Autocom is transmitted to the respective
traffic telematics terminal in a car via the D2-network.
The opportunities provided by satellite location are also used in another
of Mannesmann Autocom's services: The Passo Breakdown Service. Wherever a
vehicle happens to break down, the assistance required can be alerted
reliably, around the clock. Even if the motorist cannot indicate his exact
position, the relief vehicles will be reliably directed to him. Mannesmann
Autocom provides this service in close cooperation with automobile clubs and
breakdown service organizations. The relief vehicles are called out simply by
pushing a button. The customer number, vehicle data and the position of the
vehicle are automatically transmitted to Mannesmann Autocom via the
D2-network, which has an area coverage of 98%.
Mannesmann Autocom is already successfully offering the Passo Fleet
Services which allow the efficient control of vehicle fleets. In this
respect, the basic services, vehicle location and vehicle communication
(messaging), which are linked up to the Passo Traffic Information Services,
play a decisive role. Primarily, answers should be provided to a company's
questions like where its vehicles are located, whether orders have already
been carried out, if vehicles are available for additional trips and if so,
which ones. A very important factor is that Mannesmann Autocom provides
detailed traffic information. In this way, the operator knows which vehicle
can be sent where most efficiently. These are questions which determine on
the expenditure of time and, in turn, on profitability.
Using GPS satellite location and the D2 mobile telecommunications network
makes it possible to provide answers to such questions. At any time, a
vehicle's current location is known, and the messaging system enables
unproblematic communications via a keyboard. Each order is confirmed
immediately, and the corresponding receipt is simultaneously provided at the
fleet headquarters. The products of five software partners supporting Passo
Fleet are available.
All Passo Fleet services can be implemented using various terminal
equipment with the modular system providing sufficient scope for future
expansion: for example, for a complex ramp organization and for the
coordination of incoming vehicles. Customized solutions even provide for the
integration of individual customer demands.
In the area of traffic telematics, Mannesmann Autocom has already gained a
wealth of experience. Since April 1996, the company has been conducting the
large-scale Verdi (Vehicle Relayed Dynamic Information) field trial with
approximately 1,000 vehicles. Numerous results of this project, in which the
ADAC as well as the Ministry of Trade and Commerce and "Mittelstand",
Technology and Transport of the federal state of North-Rhine Westphalia are
also involved, have now contributed to the development of the services
provided by Mannesmann Autocom.
The company not only relies on traffic information provided by the
national registration offices of the federal states and traffic computer
centres. Mannesmann Eurokom, together with T-Mobil (Deutsche Telekom MobilNet
GmbH), has founded the company "DDG Gesellschaft fur Verkehrsdaten mbH" for
the generation of accurate and up to date data on the traffic situation. The
principle for collecting the data is based on special sensors placed alongside
German motorways. This equipment is to be installed gradually, and can record
the speed and number of passing vehicles. This information shall be
complemented and gradually replaced by information obtained employing the
Floating Car Data concept. This means that numerous vehicles equipped with
the necessary technology can transmit anonymous information on their location,
direction and speed to a central computer. Their movement in the flow of
traffic finally provides a realistic and up to date picture of the traffic
situation.
A traffic situation, by the way, which at present makes each German
motorist spend approximately 65 hours per year sitting in traffic jams.
65 hours of wasted time. A loss of time which can at least be partially
avoided by using the services provided by Mannesmann Autocom.
SOURCE Mannesmann Autocom