Vehicle Manufacturers Are LeadingIntelligent Transportation Systems Efforts with Obstacle Detection Systems Launching in 2009, According to ABI Research

LONDON--(Business Wire)--
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) have been under development for more
than a decade. While the promise of road-infrastructure based traffic management
is still years away, some car manufacturers are moving ahead with autonomous
radar-based obstacle detection systems increasing the safety of both drivers and
pedestrians.

"Vehicle manufacturers are mainly interested in active safety as a new
differentiator," says ABI Research Practice Director Dominique Bonte. "However,
avoiding accidents has a huge impact on traffic congestion levels, the reduction
of which remains the primary goal of ITS."

Toyota is planning to add a millimeter-wave radar system to some of its car
models in Japan in 2009. The driver is warned about potential side and front
collisions and when a crash is imminent automatic braking, seat belt retraction
and air bag deployments are initiated. In the US a similar pre-collision system
will be available on the 2010 Toyota Prius as an option. A similar feature was
announced by Hyundai at CES. However, the current automotive slump will delay
the adoption of active safety as a standard option across all brands.

To realize the benefits of integrated traffic management ITS requires
vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. While many
successful tests based on the Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC)
protocol are ongoing in Japan (ITS-Safety 2010 project), Europe (ERTICO, CAR 2
CAR Communication Consortium) and the US (DoT`s IntelliDriveSM project), full
rollout is not expected before 2015.

In the meantime several subcomponents of ITS are in place. The Toll Collect
consortium introduced GPS-based electronic road tolling in Germany in 2005 with
more than 650,000 on-board units installed in trucks so far. In 2008 ERTICO`s
Road Charging Interoperability (RCI) project demonstrated seamless interoperable
tolling technology in six EU countries. Automatic emergency calling is available
with Onstar and Ford Sync in the US and will be mandatory in Europe by 2013 via
the eCall project.

ABI Research`s new "Intelligent Transportation Systems Market Overview"
(http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1000801-Intelligent_Transportation_Systems_Market_Overview)
examines the main applications within this huge topic and how they are relevant
to the global market. Business and market drivers and barriers are discussed for
each region. This report is part of two ABI Research Services, Telematics
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Commercial_Telematics_Research_Service)
and Location Based Services
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Location_Aware_Services).

ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of emerging
trends in global connectivity. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia,
ABI Research`s worldwide team of experts advise thousands of decision makers
through research and advisory services in seven key practice areas. Est. 1990.
For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.

ABI Research
Christine Gallen, +44.203.326.0142
pr@abiresearch.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009