TMC (Traffic Message Channel)
The Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is a digital radio data
service that functions in a similar way to RDS and is used to
transmit disruptions to traffic to a suitable reception device.
The traffic information is continuously transmitted across FM.
The user is less dependent on the half-hourly broadcast traffic
information, because the signal is continuously transmitted.
Apart from this, important information, as in the case of an
accident in the road ahead, can be passed on immediately.
The transmission is planned for the whole of Europe and is
already offered by radio transmitters in many countries. The
precision of the TMC messages can deviate greatly according
to the country. At time of printing a TMC service is not avail-
able in Ireland.
The evaluation of TMC messages is not supported by every
type of navigation software. Enquire whether your system
supports TMC before the possible purchase of a TMC receiver.
Pay TMC (optional)
PayTMC is interpreted as TMC Services that offer TMC infor-
mation free of charge, such as TMCpro in Germany, Traf-
ficmaster in the UK or V-Trafic in France, for example. These
providers are distinguished from normal 'free TMC' because of
more up-to-date information about the traffic flow.
Sensors in motorway bridges and set into the carriageway,
and a large number of vehicles equipped with 'floating car'
data technology, supply a more precise and up-to-date pic-
ture of the traffic situation on German highways, inc. possible
predictions, quickly.
The licence fees for the use of the PayTMC services will have
already been settled with the purchase of your navigation
Appendix
92