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U. Glaeser

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FIGURE 38.13<br />

The four basic functions of an in-vehicle navigation system, including the required function by VICS,<br />

are performed by software implemented in a navigation system as previously mentioned. So the scale of<br />

the software of an in-vehicle navigation system has become very large, it needs about 10 MB memory.<br />

This means it is 100 times as much as that of the software scale of engine control system that can cope<br />

with emission regulation of the passenger cars by Japanese government. Therefore, the software development<br />

of an in-vehicle navigation system cannot be developed with a conventional way in a short time at<br />

low expense.<br />

The whole system of VICS can be explained using Fig. 38.13. Traffic information is collected and edited<br />

in VICS center, then it transmitted with the three media—electromagnetic beacon, infrared light beacon,<br />

and FM multiplex. One can get information, such as traffic congestion, through display of in-vehicle<br />

navigation system with the VICS terminal. VICS is supported by three ministries of Japanese government:<br />

the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Post & Telecommunication, and the National Police Agency.<br />

Figure 38.14 shows an example of a display that shows several pieces of information such as traffic information<br />

sent by VICS service. The map display is performed using a map database of an in-vehicle<br />

navigation system in Fig. 38.12. A road next to one red line in the left part of Fig. 38.14 shows conjestion<br />

in only one direction. In this case up direction of this road is congested. Two red lines along a road<br />

shown at the right part in Fig. 38.14 means that the road is congested in two directions (up and down).<br />

One can easily detour these congested roads if with such real-time traffic information. VICS provides<br />

other information about road construction, road restrictions, and even about parking lots. VICS can also<br />

provide real-time information regarding traffic information and other useful information, and it gives a<br />

kind of comfort to drivers as a result.<br />

Electronic Toll Collection System<br />

The electronic toll collection system (ETC) is an electronic fare collection system. This system was<br />

introduced in foreign countries earlier than in Japan. In Japan, the service of ETC starts this year. One<br />

of the aims of this system in Japan is to reduce the congestion at highway tollgates thereby resulting in less<br />

emission of exhaust. Figure 38.15 shows the whole system of Japanese ETC. Three major technologies are<br />

used: network in the infrastructure, automotive terminals for ETC, and road-to-vehicle communication.<br />

The infrastructure is composed of a huge network system into which personal information such as credit<br />

card numbers are flowing. Therefore, the information flowing into this network is written in code to<br />

ensure the security. Information from the automotive terminals for the ETC system is transmitted to the<br />

© 2002 by CRC Press LLC<br />

Configuration of VICS.

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