What is Working Group 16

Probe Data System

A probe data system (Figure 1) is a system that consists of a group of vehicles that collect and transmit various types of data using medium and wide area radio communication, and center functions for statistical processing of the received data to acquire information concerning traffic, road and environment is called a 'probe vehicle system'. Probe data is the data sent from on-board systems in the vehicle to the centers and other external systems. The speed and other basic data elements in the probe data are called 'probe data elements' and a compilation of multiple data elements is called a 'probe message'. Probe messages always contains position and time stamps. This SWG is in charge of standardization of data dictionary for probe vehicle system and standardization of the instructions for the probe data reporting management that is sent from the center side to the group of vehicles when collecting probe data.

Figure 1

Configuration of vehicle probe data for wide area communications (22837)

For probe data, standardization of the following is in progress:
• Basic work frame: Specifies the methods of defining probe data elements and probe messages. Expansion and revision of the standard will be performed in accordance with this framework.
• Reference architecture: Defines the structure of the probe data system covered by this standard and the semantic structure of probe data. • Core data element: Defines a group of probe data elements showing the position and time stamps included in all probe messages.
• Initial set of probe messages: Defines a group of typical probe messages.

Figure 2

Probe data reporting management (25114)

Reporting management is a set of instructions regarding transmission of probe data to the group of vehicles, including the following:
• Instruction to start and stop transmission of probe data
• Specification of the type of probe data to be transmitted
• Adjustment of the threshold value to determine the necessity of transmission
By transmitting these instructions from the center side to the vehicle side, unnecessary transmission of data can be controlled, and detailed reports can be obtained on the desirable data in order to achieve effective data collection. The instructions are sent without identifying individual vehicles, and therefore the instructions can be sent to a group of vehicles in a specified region. Standardization of the report instruction message, which directs a reporting management, is being studied.

Basic principles for personal data protection in probe vehicle information (24100)

In probe information services, the relationship between the usefulness of probe information and the handling of personal data is an extremely important problem for all the stakeholders concerned, such as probe data suppliers, probe vehicle information service providers and information users. Personal data cannot be handled too carefully.
• The following is considered personal data handled by probe vehicle information services: "contract registration information with probe data suppliers," "communication IDs," "passwords for certification," "communication logs" and "personal data included in probe data itself."
• Items being pursued are "preparation of guidelines to be followed by the stakeholders concerned" and "standardization of design guidelines necessary for its achievement" in addition to observance of laws concerning personal data protection, so that probe data suppliers can provide probe data without worry.
• It will be quite difficult to establish a uniform standard because legal systems on personal data protection differ from country to country. Therefore, priority will be given to consensus for the need for international standards and narrowing down of standardization items. "Identification of probe vehicle information services and limitation of services," "Clarification of requirements for probe vehicle information systems" and "Concentration of priority items for wide use of probe vehicle information services."