SafeTRIP: Using Satellite Communication for ITS

Mobile communications are playing an increasing role in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). In this article some of the opportunities this provides for road transport are discussed with a focus on potential benefits for each of traffic management, fleet management and for safety: Section 3 discusses some of these opportunities. Recent developments in satellite technology means that satellites are available that can provide high bandwidth and wide geographical coverage using the S-band frequency range, which is optimised for communication from satellite to on-board vehicle units, with lower return bandwidth form vehicle to satellite. This new technology provides an opportunity to develop technologies on-board vehicles and support infrastructure to facilitate the use of mobile communications by road vehicles. The SafeTRIP project has developed such an on-board unit to use the S-band frequencies.