Static location based data such as restaurant locations, hotel information, gas stations
and gas prices, and other business advertisements has been largely prevalent for a long time,
most recently accessible via personal computers and mobile devices via the Internet.
Accessing this information is primarily done through a “pull” mechanism, in which users
query information, knowing generally what they are looking for, in a sometime laborious
process of clicking through search fields and various windows. The growing pervasiveness
of wireless network technologies such as Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, 3G mobile networks and Dedicated
Short-range Communications (DSRC), has enabled the number of applications utilizing the
bandwidth to provide services to multiply. Such commercial services are now being offered
via a “push” mechanism, in which travelers will receive messages and details about such
location based information they are requesting, via profiles they may set up via an online
profile or otherwise. This is much more efficient for the traveler, and is a very effective way
of informing him or her about what is happening around them. Previously, through VII, the
availability of such services which provide traffic safety messages was limited to traffic
reports and turn by turn directions for navigation. In recent years, significant attention within
the field of ITS has been devoted to conceptualizing and developing VII, which will enable
vehicles to communicate data with roadside equipments installed throughout the roadway
network.