Although using a TCP/IP network on board a vehicle with a mobile router providing connectivity to the global Internet may sound simple, Hassan said there are many networking and data management challenges that need to be resolved for on-board mobile computing to really take off.

"For example, any error or outage in the wireless link will immediately affect a large number of users. Additionally, link outages in such systems can be frequent and long lasting such as when a train is going in and out of tunnels," he said.

"Secondly, traffic from large numbers of users can easily overwhelm the wireless link. Also, the population of the network is very dynamic. Passengers are getting on and off the vehicle all the time. Caching or hoarding data and providing personalized delivery of relevant information for such a dynamic user base is a challenging task," he said.

It is a task though that the three associate professors, one postdoctoral researcher and two PhD research students are eagerly taking on after receiving funding of A$300,000 (US$225,678), primarily from the Australian Research Council. Their research is expected to be completed by the end of 2006.

"If we can successfully develop the required algorithms and methods, further resources will then be needed for prototyping, and collaboration will be needed with Sydney buses or trains for trials," he said.

Hassan said the technology would help encourage people to catch public transport.