In-vehicle speed limit information and warning system

Intelligent speed management has been identified as a key area for road safety improvement. Today’s complex traffic situation puts a high demand on drivers to stay informed of all speed limits. By continuously keeping drivers up-to-date about static and variable speed limits, speed alert applications support driving at a safe speed, according to traffic regulations and conditions. This in turn will contribute to reducing the number of speed-related accidents. Additionally, by providing system solutions to support the implementation of intelligent speed systems that dynamically adapt speed limits and recommendations, speed alert applications will contribute to maximising traffic flows on existing infrastructure.

Initiatives such as the initial ERTICO SpeedAlert Committee (August 2001- April 2004), the EC-supported SpeedAlert project (May 2004 - June 2005) and the SpeedAlert Forum established end of 2005 have brought all key actors across Europe together with a common objective to support and coordinate the implementation of in-vehicle speed alert systems in Europe. Since the end of 2005, this task has been taken up and progressed through the SpeedAlert Forum.

Objectives

Based on consensus with public and private sector actors, the SpeedAlert Forum’s overall objective is to be the driving force in supporting and promoting European-wide implementation of in-vehicle speed alert applications.

It also aims to:

• Support market deployment of first-generation speed alert applications (Phase 1). Such applications include static speed limits and cover motorways and main roads. Data updates are made accessible through the release of a new CD or DVD.
• Coordinate research on next-generation speed alert systems. Such systems will cover the complete road network, including urban and rural roads, and make it possible to update maps incrementally (Phase 2).
  Ultimately, applications will also provide harmonised variable speed limit data Europe-wide (Phase 3).
• Monitor progress on SpeedAlert recommendations and policy work at European level.
• Benefit from the success of previous initiatives to consolidate consensus among key stakeholders and increase momentum.
• Cooperate and liaise with other activities at the national and European levels.

Members

As a concrete example of multi-sector applications, the success of the SpeedAlert Forum relies on the participation of all key stakeholders, including the European Commission, public authorities, road operators, vehicle manufacturers, system suppliers, map providers, service providers, research institutes, end-users and insurance companies.

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