"Truckinfo" is the information channel of the Swiss Federal Roads Authority targeted to the commercial goods transport industry.

It provides real-time information related to permanent and temporary traffic management measures, the current traffic situation and road conditions, and promotes the inter-modal offer (such as the piggy-back train service).

System supply and technical operation are contracted to Rapp Trans' associated office in Paris.

The traditional traffic information chain consists of three activities: collection, processing and distribution. Until recently, the first two processes were mostly within the domain of public road authorities, as the collection depended heavily on roadside infrastructure. With vehicles becoming more and more equipped with satellite positioning and mobile communication technology, the opportunities for Floating Car Data are increasing. For the same reason really useful commercial traffic/travel information services are emerging.

Such services are also in the public interest, as it should contribute to a better use of the road infrastructure.

The current developments suggest a reassessment of the roles and responsibilities in the traffic information chain, and a concerted action of road authorities, industry and service provider.

Rapp Trans was involved in a working group of the Dutch national committee on traffic information, focussing on the short term enhancements in coverage and services as well as the desirable organisation model for traffic information in the future.

Dynamic traffic information via variable message signs is used to provide information to the road users and to improve the traffic management. The variable message signs (VMS) are typically placed 2-3 km upstream of a junction and 1.5-2 km upstream of an exit.

Rapp Trans was commissioned to study how VMS could be used in the Basel area. This included the development of the information and traffic management concept and to prepare the statement of requirements, which formed the basis for the procurement. Rapp Trans is also responsible for performing the acceptance testing of the implemented VMS system.

The research and development project TRANS-3, co-financed by the European Commission and the Federal Swiss Ministry for Research, proved the technical feasibility of a route planner covering all individual (car and bike) and collective (bus tram and train) transport modes including car parks of the tri-national urban area of Basel.

This information service was promoted through a public trial and a web-based service during an 18 month period. Rapp Trans was the general project manager of the consortium and its associated office in Paris was responsible for the implementation and operation of the website.