PT Journal
AU Vlcinsky, J
TI Architecturing Future-proof Distribution of Traffic and Travel Information Using TPEG
SO Transactions on Transport Sciences
PY 2008
BP 211
EP 218
VL 1
IS 4
DI 10.5507/tots.2008.027
DE Architecture; TPEG; DAB; Internet; traffic and travel information
AB The article summarizes key recommendations for creating a traffic and travel information distribution architecture, which will function properly and without changes for longer time. Recommendations are based on a work proposing an architecture over a distributing traffic and travel information over digital radio broadcasting and Internet using TPEG formats and protocols. The whole process of architecturing is briefly described starting with the planning scope, expected results and steps to achieve them; and the process of requirement engineering. For the requirements a list of user needs, created for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) by project KAREN, was found to be very useful. Lessons learned from existing traffic information distribution systems are also discussed as they were another source of requirements. Before describing the architecture, unique design concepts of TPEG itself are mentioned, namely the possibility to seamlessly convert a TPEG message from binary format to XML and back; promising location referencing methods incl. AGORA C; and the ability to be backward compatible even after enhancing the TPEG message to the server for new or updated TPEG applications. All those TPEG design concepts allowed the development of very modular and flexible architecture for distribution. The architecture itself is then briefly outlined by means of selected set of use cases, describing core functionality of reception and distribution; and by a sample deployment model, depicting the possible physical structure of a future working system. Finally, based on the created architecture, recommendations are stated. The system must be designed as a pure distribution channel, changes expected in the future are identified, suitable requirement engineering methods are proposed and the need for monitoring and auditing tooling is highlighted. Open issue is practical availability of the dynamic location referencing method which shall be evaluated in the near future.
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