understanding real-time traffic information
Welcome Congratulations on choosing navigation with SUNA Traffic Channel. SUNA Traffic Channel is a service that broadcasts real-time traffic information directly to navigation systems. Armed with this incredible knowledge of real time road conditions, your compatible navigation system can inform you of conditions ahead, and recommend routes that minimise congestion. This user manual has been prepared to guide you through the services SUNA Traffic Channel supports. It should be read in conjunction with the instructions for your compatible navigation system. 1
What is SUNA Traffic Channel? SUNA Traffic Channel connects navigation devices to real-time road traffic information. With SUNA Traffic Channel, your navigation system can add value every day, every trip - not just when you re lost - by helping answer questions like: How long will I be delayed? Should I detour? When will I arrive? What is causing this jam? By being better informed, motoring is less frustrating, and by avoiding severe and unexpected congestion you may even arrive sooner. SUNA Traffic Channel uses the international Traffic Message Channel (TMC) standard to encode traffic conditions. It is broadcast using the Radio Data System (RDS). 2
What information will I receive through SUNA Traffic Channel? We continually monitor road conditions and broadcast detailed warnings about both incidents and traffic congestion. There are three parts to the advice on adverse driving conditions provided by SUNA Traffic Channel: Location where is the problem. Generally, you will find conditions are mapped to road segments that are bounded by major intersections (on arterial roads) or by exit/entry ramps on freeways. Impact severity of the reduced speed or delay Cause not relevant to routine or peak hour congestion, but provided where known. Examples are accidents, roadworks, oil spills, floods, adverse weather. Your navigation system may present warnings as graphics or as spoken word, or it may simply route you around the delay. 3
Making sense of speed and delay messages Relating your vehicle s average speed to a warning message is simple: On freeways: We broadcast speed messages in steps of 10kph. We begin broadcasting if estimated speeds drop to around 50% or less of normal free-flow speed. Stationary Traffic suggests crawling below 9kph. Each speed message is an average measure between freeway junctions. On other roads: Although the content of warnings is similar, most delay on arterial roads occurs at intersections. So average speed takes into account the time stopped at traffic lights as well as your actual speed while moving. 4
How does SUNA Traffic Channel connect to my navigation system? SUNA Traffic Channel is broadcast using the international standard for real-time traffic, RDS-TMC. We silently encode the SUNA information in a normal FM radio broadcast for example, 101.1 in Melbourne. Radio listeners hear nothing, but special TMC receivers (usually incorporated in your navigation system or cradle) decode the information and pass it to your navigation system. SUNA Traffic Channel is an encrypted (commercial) TMC service and is available only to authorised devices. 5
How long is the initial service period? Your device will entitle you to either Lifetime Access or a Fixed initial service period. Check the documentation with your navigation device on how to activate the service. Are there any hidden costs? You can use SUNA Traffic Channel as much as you like during your subscription period without extra charge. Unlike systems that use the mobile phone network to transmit information, SUNA Traffic Channel s RDS-TMC broadcast service is free of any additional carriage cost. 6
What is the coverage of SUNA Traffic Channel? Within each transmission area, we broadcast conditions on major arterial roads and freeways, 24/7. SUNA Traffic Channel is progressively rolling out across Australia s major urban areas where most people drive and traffic congestion is most severe. In cities where the SUNA service is operating, you will enjoy one of the world s most comprehensive real-time traffic services. 7
FM Reception Because SUNA Traffic Channel is broadcast using a normal FM radio signal, you can easily check for reception by tuning your car radio to the same frequency. If you have good audio quality, you should generally be capable of connecting to SUNA Traffic Channel. Occasionally, as with all FM reception, brief drop-outs may occur don t worry however as your navigation system will store hundreds of messages. NB: If you have a portable navigation system, correct use of the antenna is important please refer to your navigation user manual. 8
How do I activate my navigation system to receive SUNA Traffic Channel? Refer to your navigation system instructions for how to activate the service. If you need to manually select a frequency, tuning details are available at www.sunatraffic.com.au. The SUNA Traffic Channel broadcast is encrypted, so only authorised devices (bearing the SUNA Traffic Channel logo) can receive the service. For best operation, you should check you have a recent, traffic-ready digital map loaded on your device. Older maps may result in reduced coverage, no coverage, or may misrepresent the location of some messages. 9
Where does SUNA Traffic Channel obtain its data? We use a range of advanced technologies to monitor traffic conditions making SUNA Traffic Channel one of the world s most comprehensive urban traffic services. We think you will be amazed by the coverage, accuracy, and timelines of SUNA Traffic Channel. If we miss something, we welcome jambuster reports from SUNA Traffic Channel users. Call us on 1300 361 535 or log on to the SUNA Traffic Channel website at www.sunatraffic.com.au We love feedback. 10
In many areas the SUNA Traffic Channel systems are connected to the traffic light control systems, leveraging data collected by sensors on the approach to every intersection. In addition to our automated systems, the SUNA Traffic Channel operations centre monitors incidents detected by traffic control centres, tow truck dispatches, public reports, and many other available sources of information. But for various reasons we cannot detect, or warn you of every traffic event: Delay: Generally there will be between 5 to 10 minutes between congestion being detected, and a message being received by your navigation system or device. This delay is explained by several factors, in particular: 11
The Broadcast Carousel: Messages are broadcast in a revolving sequence (or carousel ) of up to hundreds of messages. It takes up to five minutes to load a full view of your city from a cold start, however we do repeat high priority messages so that you receive these quickly. Smoothing Delay: We try not to annoy you with shortlived congestion warnings, and therefore delay sending messages until our traffic models suggest the impact is likely to persist for a while. Arterial roads can be quite volatile for instance a car stalling at the lights can trigger a brief wave of congestion. Generally, such delays are minor, and not practical to actively avoid. 12
Cancellation Delay: Occasionally, you will witness a cleared road before a cancellation is received. Coverage: We may miss events if sensors are faulty, or if they occur off the monitored network. But the more severe the impact, the more likely we are to detect it. 13
Responsible use of traffic information services It is important that you drive with your eyes on the road, and hands on the wheel. Don t adjust your settings except when you are stationary, and it is safe to do so. 14
Who is behind SUNA Traffic Channel? SUNA Traffic Channel is operated by Intelematics Australia Pty Ltd. Intelematics is a subsidiary of RACV. Although we utilise information derived from government sources (amongst others), SUNA Traffic Channel is an independent service and quality, coverage, or licensing issues should be addressed to us. 15
Troubleshooting In all cases, you should refer to the documentation that came with your navigation device, but here are some tips: I cannot receive any messages Has your navigation system been activated for SUNA Traffic Channel? Is your antenna connected and properly positioned? Are you in a broadcast area? [more info on www.sunatraffic.com.au] Are you tuned to the right frequency? [check on www.sunatraffic.com.au] Is your digital map a recent, traffic-ready release? I receive traffic messages, but not many; it seems to take more than 5 minutes to load all the messages from a cold start; I have intermittent reception Is your antenna properly positioned? Are you in a poor reception area? [check frequency on www.sunatraffic.com.au] 16
The Legal Stuff By activating and/or accessing the SUNA Traffic Channel RDS-TMC service, you must accept certain terms and conditions. 1. Intellectual Property SUNA Traffic Channel is for your personal use. You may not record, or retransmit the content, nor use it in association with any other traffic information or route guidance service or device. The information is copyright to Intelematics Australia Pty Ltd and/or our suppliers. 2. Appropriate Use SUNA Traffic Channel is intended as an aid to personal motoring, and does not provide comprehensive or accurate information on all occasions. On occasions, you may experience additional delay as a result of using the service. You acknowledge that it is not intended, or suitable, for use in applications where time of arrival or driving directions may impact the safety of the public or yourself. 17
3. Reception We cannot assure reception of the SUNA Traffic Channel RDS-TMC signal at any particular location. 4. Service Continuity The service may occasionally be unavailable for technical reasons or for planned maintenance. We will try to perform maintenance at times when congestion is light. We reserve the right to withdraw the service at any time. 5. Limitation of Liability Neither Intelematics nor its suppliers shall be liable to you or to any third party for any damages either direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or otherwise arising out of the use of or inability to use Suna Traffic Channel even if Intelematics has been advised of the possibility of such damages. 6. Please Note Great care has been taken in preparing this manual. Constant product development may mean that some information is not entirely up-to-date. The information in this document is subject to change without notice. 2007 Intelematics Pty. Ltd. Suna Traffic Version 1.0 18