Intelligent transport infrastructures are key to the sustainability of the UK’s economic and environmental development. The Government is committed to a fairer taxation policy for road usage and at the same time manage congestion, by introducing a road user charge based on time of day, class of road etc. The private sector is already piloting motor insurance schemes to base premiums on location, time of day and how vehicles are driven. The Home Office is using prisoner tagging schemes to track offenders. European legislation is being introduced to ensure the movement of live animals is tracked to control the spread of contagious diseases. The movement of dangerous goods, such as nuclear fuels, will have to be tracked to comply with new legislation.

All these policy initiatives require position and time data - which can be provided with least impact on the environment via satellites. These initiatives will serve to increase both government and public dependence on the uninterrupted provision of signals. The success of these policies is linked strongly to both the system performance and the guaranteed availability of signals, and implicitly requires Galileo and not just GPS. Galileo provides increased signal availability, significantly superior signal design, a service guarantee and integrity of service. The use of GPS plus Galileo delivers the best performance of all, by combining signals from the two constellations (nearly 60 satellites), dramatically increasing signal availability.

The use of satellite navigation in road vehicles is growing and systems are anticipated to be installed in the majority of vehicles in 10 years. Satellite navigation brings unique benefits to road users in terms of time saved, reduction in accidents, theft and emissions.

This level of satellite navigation penetration in road vehicles will help save road users considerable time (other studies estimate this at 15%). This should lead to savings of over £10 billion for UK drivers (both commercial and leisure) and further savings to society from reduced emissions of £0.5 billion.

Satellite navigation systems such as eCall that enable the emergency services accurately and speedily to locate accidents on the roads will help save lives and reduce serious injuries. Speed alert/advanced driver assistance systems which give collision and speed warnings will also reduce the number of accidents. The total benefit to the UK from reduced accidents is estimated at £1.7 billion per year in the future.

Satellite navigation systems that enable stolen vehicles to be tracked and then disabled are estimated to be worth £1.5 billion per year to the UK in the future. Statements from the police confirmed the success of small scale trials of such systems.

Total UK benefits from the use of positioning systems in the aviation industry, enabling more efficient use of airspace, are estimated at around £1.4 bn per year. This will increase as Galileo comes into operation with consequent increase in accuracy. The UK is playing a leading role in establishing early signal and service demonstrations.

The improvements in transport capacity and flow resulting from GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) enabled traffic management will permit continued growth of the economy without the pressure for major changes or additions to transport infrastructure, restrictions on social mobility, increasing congestion and the environmental damage experienced hitherto. This will break the link between economic growth and the growth of transport.