Skip to main content

Need for real-time traffic information systems on the rise

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of Real-time Traffic Information Market in Europe and North America, finds that the number of real-time traffic information subscribers in North America stood at 1.9 million units in 2014 and estimates this to reach 14.2 million in 2021. In Europe, the number is expected to go up from 2.2 million in 2014 to 10.2 million in 2021. With traffic expanding at three times the rate of the economy, the research says the need for intelligent systems like real-ti
March 11, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
New analysis from 2097 Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of Real-time Traffic Information Market in Europe and North America, finds that the number of real-time traffic information subscribers in North America stood at 1.9 million units in 2014 and estimates this to reach 14.2 million in 2021. In Europe, the number is expected to go up from 2.2 million in 2014 to 10.2 million in 2021.

With traffic expanding at three times the rate of the economy, the research says the need for intelligent systems like real-time traffic information (RTTI) services is on the rise in North America and Europe. The emergence of smart cities and deployment of advanced technologies such as predictive traffic and vehicle-to-vehicle communication will continue to drive the RTTI market in the future. For now, the integration with public transport information to help commuters estimate their time of arrival (ETA) based on factors such as traffic flow will enable RTTI to appeal to a larger audience.

The fact that the RTTI space is yet to capitalise on the amount of data and sources currently available is an indication that adoption is bound to take off in the near future.
"Big data analytics will be the single largest technology supporting the implementation of predictive traffic, signal management, road infrastructure maintenance, and accident reduction solutions," said Frost & Sullivan Automotive and Transportation research analyst Ramnath Eswaravadivoo. "Hence, it is important that the data collector, data aggregator, and data integrator co-exist for the smooth functioning of the RTTI ecosystem."

The biggest factor restraining RTTI use is the high subscription cost. Moreover, the limit on downloading data even after end users have paid a substantial subscription fee deters adoption. Lowering the subscription fee, offering an unlimited data download limit, or making the RTTI service standard in every car for a low cost will be essential to encourage uptake.

In addition, commuters consider RTTI as just a simple navigation tool offered at an extra cost. Technology providers must conduct awareness programs and workshops to help the public understand the significance of RTTI.

"Consumers must be made aware of how RTTI can decrease emissions, waiting time in traffic, and fuel wasted while idling," urged Eswaravadivoo. "Integrating solutions into one consistent and user-friendly service rather than providing separate apps for navigation, traffic, parking and fuel will also attract more consumers in the North American and European RTTI market."

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Fleet management systems ‘will reach 12 million units in the Americas by 2018’
    October 3, 2014
    According to a new research report from analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in North America was four million in Q4-2013. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.3 per cent, this number is expected to reach 8.1 million by 2018. In Latin America, the number of active fleet management systems is expected to increase from 1.9 million in Q4-2013, growing at a CAGR of 16.1 per cent to reach 3.9 million in 2018. The top t
  • Healthy prospects for floating vehicle data systems
    February 3, 2012
    Elmar Brockfeld, Alexander Sohr and Peter Wagner from the German Aerospace Center's Institute of Transport Systems look at the prospects for floating vehicle data systems. Although Floating Vehicle Data (FVD) or probe vehicle fleets have been around for about a decade, the idea behind them is of course much older: from probe vehicles that flow with the traffic it should be possible to get a precise, fast and spatially near-complete picture of the prevailing traffic flow conditions in an area under surveilla
  • Open data gives new lease of life to public travel information screens
    March 4, 2014
    David Crawford finds resurgent interest in travel information screens for buildings. With city governments worldwide increasingly opening up and sharing their public transport data for general use, attention is focusing on the potential financial benefits – to transit operators and businesses more widely. Professor Stephen Goldsmith, who directs the US’ Harvard University’s Data-Smart City Solutions Project says: “Amid nationwide public-sector budget cuts, open data is providing a road map for improving tra
  • Electric motor market expected to flourish in the next decade
    September 19, 2012
    Developments in the electric vehicle market are expected to boost growth in the electric motor market according to consulting and research organisations IDTechEX and Frost & Sullivan. As electric vehicles head towards mass production, the model of electric motor supply also requires changes in the future. In its 2012 market forecast with a ten year horizon, IDTechEX, a consulting and research organisation, argues that: “Any motor manufacturer without a compelling line up of electric vehicles by 2025 is sign