Mobility Technologies Launches 'Digital Traffic Pulse' Network in Philadelphia

    PHILADELPHIA--June 7, 2001--In ceremonies attended by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and Philadelphia Mayor John Street, Mobility Technologies, the leading provider of digital traffic and logistics information, announced today it has deployed its Digital Traffic Pulse(SM) sensor network in the Philadelphia area.
    The new digital sensor network allows motorists in the nation's sixth most heavily populated metropolitan area to better plan their routes and avoid congestion. The company also presented a check in the amount of $33,610.64 to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, partners with Mobility Technologies in a unique public-private cooperative.
    "Mobility Technologies is yet another shining example of a great technology firm that's thriving in our Southeast high-tech corridor," declared Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge. "Using state-of-the-art digital technology and the Internet's lightning speed, Mobility Technologies has created the most advanced traffic reporting system in the nation. For thousands of motorists who live and work in suburban Philadelphia, the ride to and from work has just gotten a little faster and a lot less hectic. This home-grown technology provides drivers with instant access to the most accurate traffic information available anywhere in the world."
    The Digital Traffic Pulse sensor network, an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) developed in partnership with USDOT, provides a level of accuracy and reliability never before achieved in the measurement of traffic flow. The network of roadside sensors generates lane-by-lane data (including actual speeds, volumes and point-to-point travel times), which is then updated every 60 seconds, around the clock, for distribution on the company's Web site (www.traffic.com/) and on select radio and TV stations.
    Philadelphia joins Pittsburgh as the first two U.S. cities to host the sensor network, owned and operated by Mobility Technologies. Eventually, the company plans to deploy the network in 40 of the nation's top metropolitan areas.
    Motorists who log on to the Philadelphia or Pittsburgh portions of the company's Web site can view the benefits of the network, with unique real-time information such as "Digital Travel Times" and "Average Speeds" on Key Routes throughout the region. The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh sites utilize this digital technology for their traffic reports, which are supplemented with traditional event and incident data (accidents, disabled vehicles, emergency activity, construction, etc.) to provide the most comprehensive information available to motorists.

    REVENUE SHARING PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP

    Richard P. Ramirez, Mobility Technologies' President & CEO, explained that, "Today's deployment of the Digital Traffic Pulse sensor network in Philadelphia demonstrates a unique public-private partnership that delivers considerable value to the public sector by sharing the project and infrastructure costs, while simultaneously relieving federal, state and local governments from the burden of ongoing operations and maintenance costs."
    USDOT contributed $2 million to the project and PENNDOT contributed $500,000, providing each public agency with perpetual access to the data stream for traffic management, planning, research, and analysis needs.
    In addition to the funds contributed by USDOT and PENNDOT, Mr. Ramirez noted that a significant investment was made by Mobility Technologies for the project infrastructure and the development of a scalable, systems architecture to meet the needs of multiple customer bases. Under the terms of the partnership, Mobility Technologies will share its gross revenues with PENNDOT using a tiered formula, and the dedicated monies will then be used for system upgrades.
    The company's Digital Traffic Pulse sensor network was recently cited by U.S. Representative Robert A. Borski, in a statement before the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, as an example of new technology that will help motorists "better plan their routes to avoid congestion and delays." Similarly, the sensor network has been identified in recent articles in "U.S. News & World Report" and "Business 2.0" as one of the best solutions to traffic congestion.

    About Mobility Technologies:

    Mobility Technologies (until last week known as Traffic.com) is creating America's premier traffic information franchise with its Digital Traffic Pulse sensor network, an Advanced Traffic Information Service (ATIS). The network continually measures traffic flow on major highways to provide motorists with real-time information such as actual speeds and point-to-point travel times. Information is distributed on Mobility Technologies' interactive Web site (www.traffic.com) and featured on select radio and television broadcasts.
    Soon, motorists will also have access to Mobility Technologies' wireless services, to include personalized traffic updates and alert messages. Ultimately, Mobility Technologies' traffic reports will be transmitted directly to drivers in their vehicles through on-board telematics devices.
    In addition to the company's two digitally networked cities (Pittsburgh and Philadelphia), its web-based traffic information service is also currently available in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Baltimore, Tampa and St. Louis.