System convergence — The potential for an integrated road transport environment

This chapter discusses the potential for co-ordinating developments in Road Transport Informatics (RTI) in what could otherwise be a number of fragmented approaches, in order to approach what the DRIVE programme calls the Integrated Road Transport Environment (IRTE). The discussion is presented with particular reference to European developments such as the PROMETHEUS and DRIVE research programmes, but is intended to encompass possible progress towards worldwide standardisation.The role of consensus formation in Europe in the DRIVE projects SECFO and TARDIS is described. The importance of dynamic route guidance and of automatic debiting systems are highlighted in identifying the likely impetus towards the implementation of RTI systems. Finally, some outstanding issues are presented briefly, and the possible emergence of international standards leading to compatible systems worldwide is discussed.