Composition Of Mobile Pre-trip On-trip Services

The main results of the COMPOSE project are:

1. COMPOSE demonstrated an innovative mobile service package for travellers based on the integration of different components: pre-trip, on-trip, location-based services and satellite broadcast combined with new virtual 3D models for the last mile before arrival. This service package offers a full range of user needs during the pre-trip and on-trip phases through a single access point for continuous information broadcasting (weather forecast, news and sport, cultural and entertainment information) and on demand information (pre-trip planning based on 2D/3D model, messages, points of interest, route guidance, dynamic traffic information).
2. COMPOSE supplied a Demonstrator that combines newly developed hardware and software components, with existing components. It is a physical system implementing the COMPOSE innovative mobile service package and an open, non-proprietary and modular middleware that supplies it to the user.
3. An innovative application based on 3D model was developed. It allows a user to get pre-trip information performing a virtual tour by navigating in a rich geographical environment in a selected area (based on trip itinerary and time). As a result of this activity, COMPOSE project submitted two proposals to the ISO TC204 WG 3.1 XGDF committee: “3D Elevation Model Extensions” and “Change request for city model contents extensions”.
4. A trial campaign, run in real environments, was carried out in Summer 2004 in two different locations: Rome and Amsterdam. COMPOSE Demonstrator's performance and benefits were validated by directed involvement of users selected from two different categories: business and mass market. Applications for virtual 3D navigation supporting the user during the pre-trip and last-mile phases, location-based services (dynamic route guidance, dynamic traffic information, freight and fleet management) and satellite information broadcasting were proven.
5. A thorough analysis and assessment of the trials results has been performed taking into account feedback from selected users involved in a series of COMPOSE demonstrations that were carried out during the trial campaign.
   

Technical Implications

There are some potential developments that could be applied to the COMPOSE Demonstrator. In particular, there are some exploitation ideas, which can be very useful in case of a COMPOSE-follow-on project and include the following areas:

• Technology, in particular:
  
  - Development of a smaller User Terminal (towards the development of a product) as far as the satellite communication component is concerned;
• Navigation, in particular:
  
  - Further studies and research into the market opportunities of the GALILEO services.
• Communication, in particular:
  
  - Exploitation of S-UMTS technology towards different bit rates (COMPOSE communication services are focused on low data rate, and applications were developed in compliance with this constraint. Exploitation towards a wider rage of bit rates enables inclusion of other services and applications requiring higher bit rates);
  
  - Exploitation towards terrestrial technologies like T-UMTS;
  
  - Exploitation and extensive integration efforts toward growing coverage within Europe and acceptance of a technology like GPRS.
• Data/Services, in particular:
  
  - Collection of real time local area traffic information and travel times for use within the dynamic route guidance application or for the use within traffic management system;
  
  - Further investigation of user needs for driver assistance services by using GPRS/UMTS. Possible services can be warnings for speeding (by using GPS locations, speed maps and map match technology), information about temporary and/or permanent road signs (i.e. matrix signs across roads) and information on start-trip time based on both time schedules (agendas and traffic information);
  
  - The responses of the user and results of trial clearly show possibilities for expanding of the Compose Location Bases Services in areas such as navigation, point-of-interest look up, traffic, commerce/advertising, buying/billing, personal security (geo-fencing), peer to peer/find me, asset tracking/field services and gaming/location-based imaging;
  
  - Location-based services should be focusing on the normal consumer and on demanding commercial users in aviation, farming, public services, geodetic surveys, and small-scale mapping.

Policy implications

The COMPOSE project aimed to analyse and promote the potentially enormous info-mobility market and business opportunity to auto-manufacturers as well as mobile service/applications/content providers by analysing, developing, demonstrating and disseminating the following value added services: 3D/4D virtual mobility pre- and on-trip, enhanced location-based services (route guidance, emergency and personal security services, traffic information, etc.) and individualised information packages.