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It is only natural that the combination of transportation and telematics is an important
task in the twenty-first century as transportation, computers and telecommunications are
of fundamental importance to every economy. Transport telematics concerns the use of
telematics with a focus on transport organisation, information, and control. The term
transport telematics is often used synonymously to the terms Intelligent Transportation
Systems (ITS) and Transport Information and Control Systems (TICS). However, ITS
and TICS are more general and certain applications related to transportation are also
termed ITS or TICS applications if they provide transport related use of computer
technology-even if no telecommunication is involved.
7.2 The tasks of telematics systems
The task of telematics is to support, supervise, control and manage processes
in transport and bind these systems in all transport tasks carried out in the supply
chain. The priority element for the implementation of these tasks in telematics systems
are functions of information manipulation, which primarily relate to the collection,
processing and distribution of data essential for making the right decisions. Such
processes are both processes implemented in the manner determined in advance (e.g.
automatic control of traffic) or processes arising from ad hoc situations (decisions of
shippers, dispatchers, independent users of infrastructure such as drivers or pedestrians,
etc., assisted by current information).
Transport telematics provides the transport sector with products and services of
a varied and different form. It has no physical transport infrastructure as such; it is
based on a parallel communications infrastructure which acts as a valuable ‘enabling
mechanism’, transferring information to enhance the operation of the transport
network. Transport telematics introduces potentially effective and novel solutions for
addressing the current and future transport problems. This is achieved by providing
decision-makers, network actors and fleet operators with better information on the past
and current state of the network, and by offering better information to the public on
travel options and conditions when they plan or undertake trips.
Telematics can involve any of the following:
1. The technology of sending, receiving and storing information via tele-
communication devices in conjunction with effecting control on remote objects.
2. The integrated use of telecommunications and informatics for application in
vehicles and with control of vehicles on the move.
3. Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology integrated with computers
and mobile communications technology in automotive navigation systems.
4. The use of such systems within road vehicles, also called vehicle telematics.
In contrast, telemetry involves the transmission of measurements from the
location of origin to the location of computing and consumption, especially without
effecting control on the remote objects. Though typically applied in the testing of flight
objects, telemetry has multiple other uses.
Vehicle telematics can help improve the efficiency of an organisation. Practical
applications include: