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This paper focuses on current research efforts in the field of automatic vehicle identification (AVI) within the Heavy Vehicle Electronic License Plate (HELP) program. HELP is developing a commercial vehicle monitoring and management system integrating AVI with weigh-in-motion, automatic vehicle classification and a computerized communications network. A primary emphasis to date in the HELP program has been technology research and development, with AVI being central to this effort. Initial research, undertaken by CRC, has led to the development of a radio frequency based, open specification for an AVI system representing the technological state-of-the-art. However, in parallel with the HELP AVI research, the American Trucking Association (ATA) has recently adopted its own radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment standard. A new research effort is therefore being performed by CRC to develop compatible AVI standards meeting the requirements of both the ATA and HELP.

The Radio Data System (RDS) consists of a silent data channel already being broadcast by most VHF-FM radio stations in the United Kingdom. One of the additional features currently being developed for RDS is the Traffic Message Channel (TMC). This will provide motorists with a constant stream of traffic information, either displayed on an in-vehicle receiver or by speech synthesis. Significant work has already been carried out on messages to be broadcast, location codes and message management issues for RDS-TMC, which is reported in this paper. Through the European DRIVE Road Transport Informatics project called RDS-ALERT (Advice and Problem Location for European Road Traffic), this work is now continuing toward standards for RDS-TMC throughout Europe.

This paper describes the current research efforts into automatic vehicle identification being undertaken as part of the Heavy Vehicle Electronic License Plate (HELP) program. Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) is the term used for techniques which uniquely identify vehicles as they pass specific points on the highway, without requiring any action by the driver or by an observer. It constitutes one of the three key technological elements, along with weigh in motion and automatic vehicle classification, which combine to form the HELP system. There are a number of alternative AVI technologies and systems under consideration for use in the HELP System, which are each briefly described in the paper. A comprehensive test program is now under way to evaluate the performance of each of these systems and technologies, with the aim of producing a definitive specification for an AVI system which will meet the needs of the HELP system.

This paper examines some recent developments in the field of weighing in motion (WIM). It is divided into two sections covering systems currently in use today and new or future developments. Systems examined under the first section include the following alternative highway speed WIM methodologies: 1 bending plate systems; 2 shallow weighscale systems; 3 deep pit weighscale systems; 4 bridge systems. The recent developments examined in the latter section of the paper include the use of capacitive and piezo-electric systems for weighing in motion. Prospects for further development in these areas are also outlined.