Traffic announcement (TA) refers to the

broadcasting Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began wi ...

of a specific type of traffic report on the

Radio Data System Radio Data System (RDS) is a communications protocol standard for embedding small amounts of digital information in conventional FM radio broadcasts. RDS standardizes several types of information transmitted, including time, station identificati ...

. It is generally used by motorists, to assist with route planning, and for the avoidance of

traffic congestion Traffic congestion is a condition in transport that is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. Traffic congestion on urban road networks has increased substantially since the 1950s. When traffic de ...

. The RDS-enabled receiver can be set to pay special attention to this TA ''flag'' and e.g. stop the tape/pause the CD or retune to receive a Traffic bulletin. The related TP (Traffic Programme) flag is used to allow the user to find only those stations that regularly broadcast traffic bulletins, whereas the TA flag is used to stop the tape or raise the volume during a traffic bulletin. On some modern units, traffic reports can also be recorded and stored within the unit, both while the unit is switched on, but also for a pre-set period after the unit is turned off. It may also have in-built timers to seek and record the same for two separate daily occasions, i.e., one setting for before the morning commute, and the second for the evening return journey. These messages may then subsequently be recalled on demand by the driver. This specific function is known as ''TIM'', or ''traffic information message''.

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