Overview
ISO 21219-21:2025 establishes a Geographic Location Referencing (GLR) method for use in intelligent transport systems and TPEG2 (Transport Protocol Experts Group, generation 2) applications. This international standard provides a compact and basic specification to define and communicate geographical location references via TPEG, focusing on points, polylines, and geographical areas. It is particularly designed to enhance traffic and travel information services by enabling the efficient exchange of data about locations on Earth's surface, especially for applications not requiring detailed map-based location methods.
With a focus on practical utility, the GLR method can be embedded within the TPEG-Location Referencing Container (TPEG-LRC) and supports diverse applications-such as weather, safety alerts, and general geographical notifications-across a wide range of devices, including those without advanced navigation capabilities.
Key Topics
- Geographic Location Referencing (GLR): Defines how to represent various types of geographic features-such as points of interest, lines (e.g., fault lines), and areas (e.g., weather alert regions)-in a standardized, interoperable format.
- TPEG2 Compatibility: GLR integrates within the TPEG2 suite of standards, ensuring standardized geographic references for travel and transport applications.
- Reference Types: Supports multiple forms of location representation, including:
- Geographic bounding boxes
- Circles and circular sectors
- Points
- Polylines
- Polygons (with the ability to include holes, e.g., for exclusions)
- Data Efficiency: Deliberate simplification and compactness enable broad applicability, including on low-power or memory-constrained devices.
- Complementary Approach: GLR is designed to work alongside map-based location referencing, offering a solution for scenarios where referencing natural, rather than anthropogenic, geographic features is best.
- Extendibility and Backward Compatibility: The toolkit structure provides for future enhancements while maintaining interoperability with existing systems and applications.
Applications
ISO 21219-21:2025 is highly relevant for organizations developing or operating intelligent transport systems, especially where communication of geographical information is needed. Key practical applications include:
- Weather Information Services: Communicate location-based weather updates-like warnings for specific areas or point-based weather stations-without intricate road or address information.
- Safety Alerts: Issue geographically targeted safety alerts for features such as environmental hazards, disaster regions, or public safety incidents.
- Travel Information: Provide users with notifications or information about geographically delineated features, such as regional events, transportation disruptions, or points of interest.
- Resource Management: Enable efficient dissemination of data about the locations of services or assets, such as fuel stations or charging points, using compact location references.
- Broad Device Support: Because the GLR method is simple and lightweight, it is suitable for non-navigation devices or services implemented in low-resource environments, expanding access to geographic information in intelligent transport systems.
Related Standards
The ISO 21219 series forms the backbone of TPEG2 standards for intelligent transport systems. Key related standards include:
- ISO 21219-1: Introduction, numbering, and versions (TPEG2-INV)
- ISO 21219-9: Service and network information (TPEG2-SNI)
- ISO 21219-14: Parking information (TPEG2-PKI)
- ISO 21219-16: Fuel price information and availability (TPEG2-FPI)
- ISO 21219-7: TPEG-Location Referencing Container (TPEG2-LRC)
- ISO/TS 21219-22: Open Location Referencing (TPEG2-OLR)
- ISO 17572 series: Additional location referencing standards
For full effectiveness, organizations and developers should reference these standards alongside ISO 21219-21:2025 to ensure seamless integration and data interoperability within intelligent transport and travel information systems.
By providing a robust, adaptable geographic location referencing method, ISO 21219-21:2025 supports the evolution and integration of intelligent transport systems worldwide, enhancing communication, safety, and service quality across the sector.
Open preview (PDF)Intelligent transport systems — Traffic and travel information (TTI) via transport protocol experts group, generation 2 (TPEG2) — Part 21: Geographic location referencing (TPEG-GLR)
