The Government of Netherlands, Wednesday announced that it is allocating more than 70 million euros for the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) project until 2018 for the development of new technology and services. The new intelligent transport system which will leverage the existing cellular 4G network is designed to give road users personal, real-time and location-dependent advice based on latest information, enabling them to better anticipate their travel journey. It also aims to use innovative traffic management for better traffic distribution on the roads after an event or major congestion.
The investment program that is led by Infrastructure and the Environment Minister, Schultz van Haegen aims to develop good information services and event apps that empower road users to get customized travel advice. It has embarked on nine ITS projects on various themes which are being set up jointly throughout the country. The government said that the highly developed and dense traffic network in the country, the high level of traffic management, smartphone use and 4G penetration rate makes the Netherlands an excellent place to develop, test and implement C-ITS.
Early this week, Nokia announced that its subsidiary, HERE, the provider of online navigation services, is working with said Ministry to evaluate the utilization of commercial 3G and 4G/LTE networks as well as location cloud technology and data analytics from HERE to connect mobile devices, road infrastructure and traffic management centers to provide users with information and tools that will help them in navigation.
Minister Schultz van Haegen
There is a wealth of information available on the Internet about factors that affect congestion on the roads, such as the weather, roadworks and nearby festivals. But it’s not until you piece together the puzzle that you can really give travellers customised travel advice and driver support.
Casparde Jonge, Program Manager, Beter Benutten, ITS
The Beter Benutten program is looking at all possibilities in short and long range communication based services in support of the Dutch hybrid ITS strategy.
