TeleAtlas/Inrix expanding traffic services

[0oLakeShoreo0]

Good news for people with PDA GPS, etc. Hopefully these updates will be a big improvement over what's currently out there.


Tele Atlas and Inrix Expand Partnership to Speed Delivery of Next-Generation Traffic Services

PHILADELPHIA, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Tele Atlas and Inrix, Inc. announced today at ITS America that the companies are significantly extending their collaboration to deliver next-generation traffic services in North America. Under the new agreement, Inrix and Tele Atlas will form joint operations to optimally collect, integrate and deliver enhanced Tele Atlas traffic solutions and related map information within wireless applications and personal and in- car navigation systems. Tele Atlas customers will immediately benefit from the expanded partnership through access to Inrix's industry-leading real-time and predictive traffic information and the ability to develop next generation navigation solutions featuring applications such as traffic-influenced dynamic routing.

Inrix currently provides real-time traffic incident information for 138 metropolitan markets and real-time traffic speed and dynamic predictive information for more than 20 markets. Tele Atlas supplies digital map data and related content to application developers and device manufacturers across a range of markets.

"Tele Atlas and Inrix share a passion for providing customers with the highest quality navigation information available," said Tele Atlas' Mike Gerling, chief operating officer, Americas. "Inrix's industry leading real- time and predictive traffic services combined with our comprehensive approach to providing the most accurate digital map information enable our customers to make drive-time easier for millions of individuals and businesses."

"Our expanded relationship with Tele Atlas firmly establishes Inrix as the leading provider of traffic information services in North America," said Inrix President and CEO Bryan Mistele. "Together, we're providing our customers with navigation solutions of unparalleled quality, coverage and reliability."

The rapid adoption of personal and in-vehicle navigation systems, the growth of Web-based routing, and a broad choice of high-bandwidth data channels -- such as cellular, satellite, FM sideband, and HD radio -- are fueling an explosion of location-enabled traffic solutions. As the market evolves, Tele Atlas and Inrix have a unique opportunity to provide navigation to application software companies and location-based services (LBS) platform providers with enhanced solutions for consumer and business applications across wireless, personal navigation, automotive, fleet management, public transportation, and other markets. The companies uniquely provide businesses with relevant, actionable information that helps their customers accurately anticipate traffic conditions minutes, hours, weeks and even months in advance.

In a new report titled "Real-Time Traffic Information: Services and Infrastructure for Data Collection and Delivery" ABI Research states it expects the expanded Inrix/Tele Atlas partnership will have an important impact on the North American traffic market.

"In a market laden with disappointing products, Inrix may be the first aggregator that can provide traffic data in a way that improves the quality of the information delivered with mapping data for various personal navigation solutions," said Dan Benjamin, Principal Transportation Analyst, ABI Research.
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My GPS is traffic ready, but I haven't signed up for the traffic package. I have a TomTom so I'm using Tele Atlas maps, and this sounds like something I may have to look into more