A MAP THAT READS ITSELF

Details are given of a new graphic information system called "ALI" developed by Blaupunkt, Germany. It consists of a small gadget placed just below the car dashboard. Each driver using the device has a keyboard. He punches in four characters which represent his destination-the first defines one of 16 zones in Germany, the second, one of 16 areas within each zone, and the remaining two define an area of about 3 sq. Miles. Resolution is sufficient to direct the driver to within 1.5 miles of 65,000 destinations. Each car in the scheme has a radio transceiver with a 20 cm ferrite aerial mounted on the car wing and an indicator panel which conveys directions to the driver. Major roads in Germany will be equipped with transceivers and a programmed memory. When the driver has keyed in his destination, the car transceiver sends messages which are picked up by the roadside units. These then supply him with directions-to turn left or right, or to continue. Messages appear on the dashboard indicator, which sounds a series of pips when A message is coming through. A central control unit can transmit to cars information about the state of the road ahead-whether there is fog or a traffic jam ahead, and whether the driver should slow down or speed up to avoid obstructions. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02624079
• Corporate Authors:

  IPC Magazines

  66-69 Great Queens Street
  London WC2E 5DD,   England 
• Publication Date: 1975-8-14

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 378
• Serial:
  • NEW SCIENTIST
  • Volume: 67
  • Issue Number: 962
  • Publisher: REED BUSINESS INFORMATION LTD
  • ISSN: 0262-4079

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Direction signs; Driver information systems; Drivers; Fog; Graphics; Information management; Information systems; Information, data, and knowledge; Instrument panels; Itinerary; Maps; Navigational obstructions; Traffic congestion; Vehicle design; Vehicles
• Uncontrolled Terms: Inside
• Geographic Terms: Germany
• Old TRIS Terms: Directional sign; Graphic methods; Obstruction
• ITRD Terms: 1057: Air transport network; 1368: Dashboard; 1772: Driver; 8125: Germany; 8555: Information documentation; 9033: Inside; 699: Itinerary
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00132220
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Jun 23 1976 12:00AM