GF82.61-P-4003QM Dynamic Route Guidance, Function

GF82.61-P-4003QM Dynamic Route Guidance, Function
- with CODE (527) COMAND APS (with navigation)


The current traffic situation is taken into consideration in the dynamic route guidance. The navigation processor in the COMAND operating, display and controller unit (A40/3) can receive information on the traffic situation alternatively via the Traffic Center Service (TCS) or the Traffic Message Channel (TMC).

Traffic messages via TCS
Information on the current traffic situation is transmitted by a service provider for a fee in the form of a short message service (SMS) message via the telephone network.
During the TCS data transfer, operation of the telephone is possible. The traffic data memory is integrated into the COMAND operating, display and controller unit (A40/3). The traffic data are only transmitted when the service provider receives a corresponding request from the vehicle.

The request is made either cyclically every 15 min. or once. In order to reduce the data volume, the current location of the vehicle is automatically sent to the network provider when the information request is posted. The service provider then sends only those traffic messages applicable within an approximate radius of 75 km around the vehicle.

Traffic information via Traffic Message Channel (TMC)
Information on the current traffic situation is broadcast at no cost regionally by specially equipped radio stations via ultra-short wave (FM). A suitable FM/RDS transmitter must be tuned in. The radio tuner receives the traffic messages via the amplifier module 1, window antenna (A2/71) and passes them on to the traffic data recorder. Since no communication is accomplished between the vehicle and broadcasting corporation with TMC messages, the traffic data recorder selects the traffic messages related to the route on which the vehicle is presently driving as well as the surrounding area.

If the traffic message channel transmission signal is weak, the system searches in the background for an alternative station via station search.

Traffic information analysis
In both cases (TCS or TMC) the traffic data recorder decodes the traffic information and forwards it to the navigation processor when requested.
The navigation processor makes the decision whether the route should be changed. If necessary, a message that the route should be changed is output via the vehicle speaker.
The traffic data recorder requires an up-to-date "location list" from the navigation processor for synchronization purposes. In this list every stretch and every significant point (e.g. highway exit) in the recorded road network is identified by a unique number. The "location list" is stored on the digital versatile disk (DVD). If required (e.g. changing the DVD) it is automatically loaded onto the traffic data recorder. The traffic information stored in the traffic data recorder is automatically deleted after 30 min.

A maximum of 100 messages can be stored. The decoded traffic messages are highlighted on the map by means of corresponding symbols. They can also be displayed as plain text. For this purpose press button "Detour" and then active menu "TRAFFIC-INFO.

The "Navigation - Settings - Traffic Information" menu can be used to select the mode (TMC or TCS). A mixed operation of TMC and TCS is not possible.
Traffic jams are marked during navigation on and next to the route on the map.