European Inland Waterway Information Service

Acronym of the case:

eureauweb

Web address of the case:

http://www.eureauweb.com

Country of the case:

United Kingdom , Pan european

Posting Date:

11 December 2007

Last Edited Date:

20 December 2007

Author:

Mike Kelly (eureauweb Ltd)

geospatial | satellite | boats

Type of initiative

Project or service

Case Abstract

Eureauweb is Europeâ€™s first satellite navigation solution for inland waterways providing up-to-date waterways, navigation and tourist information all in one unit. It is innovative, easy to use and enhances the boating experience. It will be launched in 2008.

Description of the case

Domain

eGovernment

Topic

Services for Businesses | Services for Citizens | Other

Sector

Travel, Transports and Motoring | Communication (infrastructure) | Water | Environment

Date

June 2006 to November 2007

Target Users

Citizen | Business (SME) | Intermediaries

Target Users Description

Boat owners and hirers, boat hire operators, general inland waterway leisure visitors, waterway-related service providers.

Scope

International

Status

Implementation

Language(s)

English

Policy Context and Legal Framework

Project Size and Implementation

Type of initiative

IT infrastructures and products

Overall Implementation approach

Private sector

Technology choice

Proprietary technology

Funding source

Public funding EU

Project size

Implementation: €5,000,000-10,000,000

Yearly cost:

€500-999,000

Impact, innovation and results

Impact

Eureauwebâ€™s 'Water-Way' is a sat nav cruising guide showing both waterways facilities and nearby tourist attractions. It can run on your laptop or handheld device (PDA or Smartphone). When connected to a GPS receiver, the digital map is constantly updated with your current position. As your boat travels along the waterway, the map constantly updates the screen with your position and shows a wealth of useful information such as boating facilities, nearby pubs/bars and restaurants, places to visit and fun events for the kids, and it will even warn of emergency stoppages. The information includes places of interest within a 5km corridor and sometimes beyond. Accessibility Information about the waterways for the disabled community is also provided.

Eureauweb also offers a related and equally beneficial solution for hire boat operators - the boat management system, which monitors and tracks the position of a hire boat fleet. The on-board system, which includes engine and electrical status sensors, reports back electronically to the hire base using GPRS technology. As a result, the hire base can get advanced warning of any problems, locate their clients precisely and significantly improve their call-out efficiency. The system also offers booking management and client data facilities for the hire boat operators.

Lessons learnt

Lesson 1 - Projects such as this benefit from EU support in allowing more diverse R&D - however they also slow down progress to market . Projects should be shorter and more focussed.

Lesson 2 - Understanding of the target audience and specifically user requirements is vital.

Lesson 3 - Integration of state-of-the-art technology from around Europe is faster route to market than sole 'in-house' development.

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