Federal radionavigation policy and the land transportation user

Intelligent Vehicle/Highway Systems (IVHS) have been developed using dead-reckoning map-matching navigators, but increasing consideration is being given to the use of radionavigation systems such as Loran-C and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The use of GPS receivers in IVHS applications is becoming more attractive as the system nears its expected 1993 operational status and as the cost of receivers continues to drop. Other terrestrial applications are beyond the development stage, particularly in the area of automatic vehicle location and monitoring where the use of radionavigation systems has experienced tremendous growth. The federal radionavigation planning process could have significant impact upon IVHS development. The Department of Transportation´s Navigation Council formulates radionavigation system policy recommendations in concert with the Department of Defense, and the resulting policy is published in biennial editions of the Federal Radionavigation Plan (FRP). Increasing emphasis is being given in the FRP to terrestrial applications, and the DOT Navigation Council is being expanded to afford full representation to the modal administrations having responsibility for land transportation.