Safety evaluation of in-vehicle devices that provide real-time traffic information

In Vehicle Information Systems (IVISes) provide drivers with information about traffic congestion on their way or the most efficient route towards a specific destination. This study evaluates safety consequences of a number of real-time information providing in-vehicle devices, in particular RDS-TMC (Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel) systems that are or soon will be on the market. It is investigated whether these systems are possible less safe than the presently accepted practice, which is listening to radio congestion information. Five IVISes were tested in a field study and compared with conventional radio congestion information (RDS Speech). Results show that driving with an IVIS is not necessarily less safe than driving while listening to conventional congestion information.