A prototype low cost in-vehicle navigation system

A low cost in-vehicle navigation system being developed for use within the DRIVE PLEIADES (London-Paris Corridor) project is described. The system integrates vehicle position information from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, broadcast traffic condition messages using both RDS-TMC and radio paging, and road network information from a route planning system. Instructions describing the route are presented to the driver on a small colour LCD and in spoken form. The system tracks the calculated optimum route and gives instructions for the next section of the route to be covered. The optimum route is continuously recalculated, reacting to TMC messages and the vehicles location.