GDT Completes Beta Test of Enhanced Data Model for Creation of Turn-by-Turn Navigable U.S.-Canadian Database

    SAN DIEGO--July 11, 2001--ESRI User Conference

    Positional enhancement, advanced routing attributes augment GDT's
    nationwide street and address coverage

    Geographic Data Technology, Inc. (Lebanon, NH), a developer of premier map databases, today announced the completion of beta tests for an enhanced database model that will result in a turn-by-turn navigable database that supports routing from all localities within the U.S. and Canada. Rollout of the street data that incorporates the new database model began in October with complete implementation scheduled for completion by the fourth quarter of 2002. In conjunction with the implementation of the new data model, GDT has also completed positional enhancement of approximately 1million miles of streets within its nationwide database. Positional enhancement of the entire database is slated for completion by the first quarter of 2002.
    GDT's positional enhancement work and the rollout of its enhanced data model will create the most comprehensive, robust North American database on the market for location-based applications such as in-car navigation, personal navigation systems (such as those provided via PDA, cell phones or other wireless devices), telematics, and web-based mapping.
    GDT is the industry's most experienced manager and compiler of geographic data and offers detailed, enhanced, coast-to-coast coverage of streets and addresses for 100 percent of the U.S. and Canadian population. The new data model enhances GDT's already comprehensive street and address coverage with additional navigation attributes (such as turn restrictions and complex turn-by-turn maneuver information) to ensure optimal performance within navigation, telematics and other location-based applications.
    GDT's positional enhancement efforts augment the database accuracy to better model real-world conditions while still maintaining the detailed street and address attribute information customers have long come to expect from GDT. GDT's process for positional enhancement requires an accuracy of 12 meters or better, but the vast majority of the positionally realigned streets within GDT's database achieve an accuracy of 5 to 7 meters.
    "GDT's data enhancements will benefit both traditional GIS users as well as those users within new and emerging markets," said Jack Dangermond, president of ESRI. "GDT has a long history of providing ESRI users with comprehensive data for a variety of uses, and this new data model serves to enhance their ability to serve our users and will augment ESRI products such as ArcLogistics Route and RouteMap IMS."
    Upon implementation of the enhanced data model and completion of its positional enhancement efforts, GDT's database will be fully navigable from all of the estimated 100,000 localities within the U.S. and Canada and will provide positional accuracy of 5 to 12 meters for 6.8 million miles of roads throughout the two countries. GDT's ongoing database enhancements and its commitment to provide fully routable data outside of major metropolitan areas ensures that users can access information about rural areas and small towns to plan routes and itineraries outside of major cities.
    "GDT has worked with a number of strategic customers to help us define the needs of both traditional and new data markets," said GDT president Mike Gerling. "Our goal is to provide customers a single North American data source that will meet all of the demands of their applications with no compromise in the level of detail between localities."

    About GDT

    Geographic Data Technology, Inc. is the premier developer of map databases that provide the foundation for location-based applications. With more than 20 years experience in data management and compilation, GDT excels at bringing together a myriad of data resources to create usable spatial products and services that help businesses and consumers manage, understand and analyze geographic relationships. GDT provides cartographic data to major GIS vendors and is the data provider for leading software and web mapping programs. GDT data is used for routing, web mapping, emergency response, site selection, risk analysis, facilities management, and a host of other applications. With a focus on nationwide coverage, GDT offers customers complete, current and comprehensive geographic products. Rated one of the fastest growing private companies in New Hampshire, GDT employs more than 500 people at its Lebanon, NH headquarters. For more information, visit the GDT web site at www.geographic.com.