Telecommunications media for transport telematics

This article considers past and present European research into communications characteristics for transport telematics applications. The background for the work is derived from the European Commission´s DRIVE/Transport Telematics programs and research projects, and CEN TC278 activities. The prospect that a single media cannot meet all the current applications requirements is supported by consideration of key services that have different communications requirements. However, media selection minimization and a migration path for homogeneous implementation of current research solutions are expostulated. The article concludes by questioning a defaulting media selection against our social consciences for matching media to requirements. The article is aimed at a readership with some technical knowledge and should be of interest to transport authorities and manufacturers intending to tackle the problems of implementing transport telematics systems