By Tan Chong Yaw

SOON, motorists here will be able to automatically avoid jams on the road to arrive at their destinations faster.

Many currently use Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation devices in their cars to bring them to unfamiliar destinations.

Existing technology here simply route motorists without taking into account actual traffic conditions.

So even if there is a jam ahead, motorists may be guided right smack into it.

The saviour for motorists here will be next-generation GPS devices running "dynamic navigation" (DN) applications which can plot and refresh routes incorporating live traffic alerts from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

Digital Life understands that the first DN device here will be rolled out within the next two months.

On a DN device, drivers will need to only choose whether they want the fastest - based on actual traffic conditions - or shortest route.

Some systems will also offer the cheapest routes (read: avoid ERP gantries) and calculate and display the total ERP charges for drivers.

Some DN devices will also offer additional useful information - like the number of vacant carpark lots and parking rates at nearby buildings and petrol prices from petrol kiosks ahead - pushed to them based on their location.

These next-generation GPS devices were originally to be commercially rolled out at the end of last year but they have been delayed until now.

LTA told Digital Life that the system which distills LTA's raw traffic data into a form that can be used for navigation was completed last August with Quantum Inventions (QI), a navigation software company.

LTA says that QI will provide the commercial services using LTA's traffic data.

A source familiar with the project told Digital Life that the commercial rollout of the services could have been stalled because of the poor economy.

Still, motorists here will be the first in South-east Asia to enjoy the cutting-edge technology, said Saurav Bhattacharyya, QI's executive director.

"DN applications react to changing traffic conditions as they happen," says Saurav of the LTA feeds QI receives via a dedicated leased line.

The company then processes and sends out the information to users.

To enjoy dynamic navigation, motorists will need a GPS device that can receive traffic data, with maps and software that can process the data.

For most motorists, this means a new GPS device.

Digital Life is aware of only two existing models that can be upgraded.

Even then, a new cradle with a receiver chip is needed.

Traffic data could be sent out encoded in FM radio broadcasts using the Radio Data System (RDS) standard or via 2.5G cellphone technology for data transmission.

At least one local radio station and one 2.5G network are undergoing trials and at least two more vendors besides QI are close to offering their solutions.

An industry source puts the price of a DN GPS receiver to be less than $500 inclusive of maps and traffic data subscriptions - a $100 to $150 premium over a current GPS receiver.

Devices using 2.5G will also need a mobile data subscription which will cost about $20 per month.

Traffic data is collected at LTA's Intelligent Transport Systems Centre at River Valley Road - Singapore's traffic command centre.

The data is compiled from road sensors at traffic junctions, expressway detection cameras and on-road taxi speeds.

cytan@sph.com.sg

This story was first published in The Straits Times Digital Life.

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