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Siemens Says 'Real-Time' Driver Info Can Help Reduce Road Rage

6 May 1998

Siemens' Access to 'Real-Time' Driver Information Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Road Rage

    DETROIT, May 6 -- As incidents of road rage continue to climb
throughout America, Siemens Automotive is planning to launch a product that
will combat some of the key causes of aggressive driving.
    In the wake of the recent federal government announcement to launch an
attack on aggressive driving in America, Siemens Automotive is demonstrating a
product this week at the ITS AMERICA '98 Conference and Exhibition that will
help reduce incidents of road rage.
    The Siemens system is referred to as a wireless Traveler Information
System (TIS(TM)) which uses cellular communications to access "real-time"
information related to traffic conditions along a specific vehicle's route.
Prior to departing for a routine destination, the TIS system would alert the
driver to any incidents, accidents or congestion points along segments of a
preferred route.  The system also provides estimated travel times through each
segment of the route to allow the driver to determine if the delays are
acceptable, or if an alternate route should be requested.
    Access to real-time traffic information can keep travelers away from
congested areas, thereby reducing stress associated with stop-and-go driving
conditions, a major contributing factor to road rage behavior.  Also, by
having the choice of an optimal route, a driver can better anticipate and
manage travel time to a destination, further reducing stressful driving
situations.
    In addition to real-time traffic information with respect to a designated
route, the Siemens TIS product also provides turn-by-turn navigation and
emergency roadside assistance, all via the cellular link.  The benefit of the
cellular link to a service provider is that the system cost is substantially
reduced due to the elimination of on-board electronics and computing hardware
normally required in the vehicle for on-board route processing.  TIS products
like the Siemens Quick-Scout(TM) will be priced substantially under $1,000.
    The Siemens wireless TIS Quick-Scout system was put to the test last
summer in an extensive consumer market field study in the Boston metropolitan
area.  Consumers who participated in the market study overwhelmingly gave the
system high marks for its ability to increase driving confidence and security
while reducing stress associated with being caught in traffic, and/or being
lost in unfamiliar areas.
    The first Siemens wireless TIS products are expected to be available
through dealerships in North America as early as calendar year 2000.

SOURCE  Siemens Automotive Corporation