IMPACTS OF A ROADSIDE - VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ON TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PRACTISES AND ROAD SAFETY

The first developments of AIDA system started in year 1996. Four companies participate to the design : the car manufacturers RENAULT and PSA PEUGEOT-CITRON, COFIROUTE as a motorway operator and toll equipment manufacturer CSSI. The objectives of AIDA system are to : Develop an on-board service (using 5.8 GHZ DSRC technology) capable of delivering real time information to drivers; Provide drivers with real-time traffic information concerning several events (accidents, road works ahead), weather conditions (snow, rain, fog); Provide additional services such as distance to and identification of the next motorway exit, tourist and refuelling information, estimated time of arrival and an indication of alternative routes; Improve traffic data collection (speed, travel time, incident detection, weather conditions) which will give to the motorway operator a better knowledge of the road network. The AIDA services are oriented both for drivers and infrastructure operators. This paper will focus on the second category investigating the new opportunities that such system could bring to enhance knowledge on traffic conditions particularly in case of incident.