Vehicle Information And Communication System [VICS]

The VICS system supplies the navigation computer with information to enable the navigation computer to re - route the navigation guidance or to inform the vehicle driver of traffic conditions in the vehicle's vicinity. Information is provided to the system through three routes:

• RF transmission
• Infra - red transmission
• FM (frequency modulation) multiplex transmissions.

The RF transmissions are generally transmitted from road side beacons mainly on expressways. The information transmitted is as follows:

• Traffic congestion
• Travel time to next intersection
• Traffic conditions in surrounding areas and expressway turn offs
• Traffic accidents
• Speed limits
• Lane regulations
• Tire change
• Parking availability at expressway service areas and parking areas.

The Infra - Red transmissions are received by the beacon antenna mounted on the top of the instrument panel.

Infra - Red transmissions are transmitted from road side beacons on major trunk roads. The information transmitted is:

• Traffic congestion and travel time
• Traffic accidents
• Breakdowns
• Road works restrictions
• Parking availability.

FM (frequency modulation) transmissions are broadcast as part of the normal RDS FM (frequency modulation) transmission. Information transmitted is:

• Traffic congestion and travel time for wide areas
• Traffic accidents, road works, speed limits and lane restrictions for a wide area
• Parking availability information.

FM transmissions are received via the FM antenna and split from the normal FM transmissions by the FM signal splitter.