Floating Car Data

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Floating Car Data or FCD is a method to determine the traffic speed on the road network. It is based on the collection of localisation data, speed, direction of travel and time information from driving vehicles. This data can be used as a source for traffic information. This means that every appropriately equipped vehicle acts as a sensor for the road network. Based on this data, traffic jams can be identified, travel times can be calculated, and traffic reports can be instantly generated.

In contrast to traffic cameras, number plate recognition systems, and sensor loops embedded in the roadway, no additional hardware on the road network is necessary.

Different types are possible:

GPS based: Here a small number of cars (typically cars driving in a fleet, such as courier services and taxi drivers) are equipped with a box that contains a GPS receiver. The data is then communicated with the service provider using the regular on-board radio unit or, more expensive, via GSM or GPRS.
GSM based: In this case, no special devices are necessary: every switched-on GSM device is a source of information. The location of the GSM device is determined using triangulation. As the localisation is less accurate than GPS based systems, lots of devices have to be tracked and complex algorithms need to be used to extract high quality data.

FCD is also an effective surveillance method, although most companies deploying FCD systems give assurances that all data is anonymized in their systems, or kept sufficiently secure to prevent abuses.

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