'Apt telematics tech need of the hour'

Union minister stresses on value-added services

The 'in-vehicle telematics', 'inter-vehicle telematics' and 'vehicle to the world telematics' are projected to be worth $5 billion by the end of 2004, according to Frost and Sullivan Report on Automotive and Transportation Interiors.

Addressing a conference-cum-exposition on telematics in transportation, Dayanidhi Maran, Union minister of communication and information technology, said: "It is imperative that we introduce the least cost and appropriate telematics technology in India to provide increased safety,enhanced productivity, improved efficiency and much needed value-added services to all consumers."

Telematics is a technology discipline that integrates telecommunications and informatics. Telematics in general, implies combining the possibilities inherent in wireless voice and data communications with the availability of internet and global positioning systems (GPS) technology. So as to provide ubiquitous data access to deliver location-specific secure information and productivity enhancing services. It is a relatively new electronics technology that integrates communication and information processes by using computer networks and is expanding rapidly.

Telematics has made significant inroads into the automotive industry worldwide over the past decade. Starting with electronic ignition, we have engine management units, remote diagnostic systems, in-vehicle navigation equipments using GPS and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), he said.

Maran, said, "Despite the impressive growth and use of telecom services, telematics in transportation in India is still at a nascent stage. We need to cover many areas in this direction." For the transport sector, he has recommended the use of GPS as early as possible to ensure optimal utilisation of available resources.

A Core Group on Automotive Research and Development set up under the overall direction of the union ministry of science and technologies and projects for adoption in the automotive industry.

One such project is Koyembedu Bus Terminal involving government, vehicle manufacturing companies, information technology companies and academia to be launched by the end of this year in Chennai.

Hundreds of public and private buses arriving at Koyembedu Bus Terminal considered to be one of the largest in Asia will be equipped with GPS and the electronic navigational system to be installed at the terminal will be directing each bus to position in a particular bay, as currently being done in airports.

The union government has recently given a green signal for this project.

"Another area in the transport sector is the toll tax and octroi barriers. The long queues at these places must be reduced. I suggest use of pre-paid cards for payment of such taxes. Vehicular traffic in metros need also to be regulated through the use of telematics," he added.