Road Traffic Information System example essay topic

Executive Overview There is a definite desire for better traffic data to give drivers more choice and control for avoiding traffic congestion. And what's more, today there is no viable solution to alleviate the unnecessary aggravation and minimize the loss of valuable time & money. Interviewing a sample of commuter, taxi, and package delivery drivers identified a demand for timely and readily available traffic related congestion information. Package delivery, taxi / shuttle, rental car, and commuter drivers will benefit from a real-time system that provides accurate updated traffic condition information and offers alternative routing recommendations integrated with an existing in-vehicle navigation device.

TAS (c) (Traffic Avoidance System) involves software that will integrate seamlessly with multiple hardware systems. It will be introduced to the time-sensitive package delivery companies that operate in the most traffic congested cities in the U.S. This device will benefit customers by saving them time and money. TAS will help these companies achieve competitive advantage by improving their services, reducing penalties, and improving customer retention. Business success and gaining competitive advantage are thus the compelling reason to buy, making TAS a highly desirable solution. II. Problem Statement Most, if not all would agree that traffic congestion is a common problem in and around large, highly populated cities in the US today.

Everyday in the US millions of people get into their vehicles and drive - some to get to and from work or school, others running errands, or traveling to close and far-away vacation destinations. Many are on the road all day and / or night because their jobs consist primarily of, or require extensive driving. People from different walks of life (who we have interviewed to-date) share a common outrage from poor traffic conditions and a "helplessness" in their inability to avoid "being stuck" - most say they "hate traffic,"wish they didn't have to ever get on the road during rush hour,"can't wait until I start working from home to avoid the hours in traffic hell... ".

Rush hour / peak travel times, accidents, road construction, and detours are among the most common reasons for traffic problems, but regardless of the cause and impact, traffic jams always lead to frustration, delay, and unnecessary stress. "It's a nightmare - regardless of the time of day, the traffic on the 26 [Hwy 26 East] is usually bad, and I can waste hours in my car in stop-and-go traffic if I don't carefully plan the time I leave, and again, even then, you never know", shares a Lisa Hicks, a commuter living in Beaverton, OR. It's worse for businesses that employ professional drivers, and for whom reaching a destination in a timely manner affects the bottom line. The common saying "time is money" resonates with the reality of flower delivery service owner, Donnie Blodgett, who complains that he's "losing money [and potential business] because he can't always guarantee when [he]'ll get there", and goes on to state that not being able to "plan well for avoiding traffic is a major factor". In response to the above & many more feedback like: "Wish I had known there would be traffic in this area before I were in the middle of the highway, stuck in it"; or "Can never get traffic info on the radio when I most needed - I play guessing games to choose which way to go, often do crazy things [like drive 10+ extra miles] just to keep moving", we have concluded that there is a need and a business opportunity to develop a more comprehensive, and easy-to-access-while-on-the-road traffic information system. The potential user / customer benefit is even more apparent if one were to research what's out there today.

When asked whether people seek traffic information when they plan trips or select their routes to a given destination, the majority response was a strong "Yes!" - the most common sources of road conditions information are summarized / listed below: o The Internet - traffic reports available on the Internet, as well as mapping engines that provide driving directions - can download prior to leaving, but not a solution if you are on the road all day. o Radio traffic reports - some stations offer every 10 min. or so reports - but coverage is minimal - for few of the top high traffic areas only... o Radio dispatch info for professional drivers - manual, info exchange is slower / labor intensive, not cost-efficient. o Maps (Thomason guide for e. g.) - for alternative routing - does not allow for on-the fly route adjustment - i.e. driver has to pull over and consult the map; in addition most often one would already have encountered traffic problems, so would expect to lose time. o Acceptance that there will likely be traffic and planning accordingly - not efficient use of one's time (especially for a business that makes money w / deliveries, etc. for e.g. ). The bottom line: there is a definite need for better traffic data to give drivers more choice and control for avoiding traffic congestion. General Solution Statement A viable solution built in response to customers' demand for more timely and readily available information would be a real-time adequate traffic advisory system that provides accurate updated traffic conditions information and offers alternative routing recommendations at one's vehicle, at every driver's fingerprints in a proactive way. This system will be integrated with an existing in-vehicle navigation & information device. TAS is such a solution. To develop such a solution, our company has conducted a number of customer interviews as a crucial starting point for our (initial) market research and this paper will further explore the findings and study the market opportunity to launch TAS for success and alleviate many people's traffic related frustrations, lost time & money.

IV. Market Analysis In analyzing the market opportunity we have focused on the classic model of estimating market size, deriving macro & micro segmentation and settling on selection criteria that would best match with trends suggested from customer feedback. X. Conclusion Market research has demonstrated a need for TAS. The product will be piloted with a small package delivery / courier company to ensure feasibility and customer satisfaction.