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 in Europe expected to reach 8.9 million by 2019
    November 20, 2015
    According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of active fleet management systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets in Europe was 4.40 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1 percent, this number is expected to reach 8.90 million by 2019.
  • Sales of light duty electric vehicles expected to rise
    January 23, 2015
    A recent report from Navigant Research, Electric Vehicle Market Forecasts, provides a comprehensive overview of the overall light duty vehicle (LDV) and the light duty electric vehicle (EV) markets, including global forecasts for annual vehicle sales and vehicles in use through 2023. It indicates that worldwide sales of light duty EVs are expected to increase from 2.7 million in 2014 to 6.4 million in 2023. The use of EVs, which now account for a small but growing share of the world’s LDV market, has bee
  • Use of autonomous vehicles and drones expected to rise in US transportation industry
    August 4, 2017
    A recent B2B technology survey by ABI Research of 455 US-based companies across nine verticals finds that 30 per cent of transportation industry respondents plan to introduce robotics into their business operations within the next year, with another 22 per cent actively assessing the technology. Despite notable near-term progress in robotics deployments among the respondents to support e-commerce and delivery growth, their lack of familiarity with nascent technologies such as AR, blockchain, 5G, autonomous
  • Autonomous vehicles will not prevent half of real-world crashes
    April 5, 2017
    Alan Thomas of CAVT looks at the reality behind the safety claims fuelling the drive towards autonomous vehicles