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The advancements in technologies of computers, mass storage devices, positioning techniques, and digital communications links have made automation of navigational activities possible. The recent trend has been towards building navigational information systems. Two generations of these information systems are proposed. For the development of each generation a different design methodology and set of techniques are employed. Second generation systems are, however, envisioned to be enhanced versions of first generation systems, but are knowledge-based.

THE PURPOSE of this paper is to describe the components of a fleet management system and the preliminary findings of two demonstration projects. Being Canadian based, the paper opens with an overview of the Canadian road-vehicle system. Statistics are given for the road network and the estimated numbers of various types of vehicles. The Canadian Vision 2000 initiative, which is being spear headed by Communications Canada, and consists of approximately 50 communications related companies working in various consortiums, is briefly described. A Western Canadian consortia, consisting of a communications manufacturer, a systems integrator and two carriers, are carrying out various demonstration projects over the next three years. The first project discussed is an assessment of current Canadian digital mapping data for the application of vehicle navigation systems and the second is a test with the Calgary Police Department using Pulsearch's NavTrax™ fleet management system in five vehicles.