Tele Atlas and NAVTEQ Collaborate to Develop Standard Traffic Codes for Digital Maps of the United States
MENLO PARK, Calif.--March 31, 2004--| Groundbreaking Initiative Plays Significant Role in Evolution of Navigation Market |
Tele Atlas and NAVTEQ, the worldwide leading providers of digital map data and location content for vehicle navigation, Internet/wireless, business and government solutions, have formed a consortium to standardize traffic codes which will enable traffic information linkage to digital maps of the United States. This new set of traffic codes will become available on both Tele Atlas and NAVTEQ(TM) maps in Q3 of 2004.
Currently, no standard set of traffic codes exists for maps of the U.S., inhibiting the cross-platform use of traffic data solutions. For example, navigation systems operating with a NAVTEQ map are unable to link to or utilize Tele Atlas traffic information, and vice versa. A standard set of traffic codes addresses this challenge and, once available, will directly enable the delivery of real-time traffic information to navigation systems and portable navigation devices -- regardless of map provider -- in major markets across the country.
The traffic location tables and codes will be compliant with the European RDS-TMC Alert C specifications, a widely adopted traffic code format. The new standard set of codes will be backward compatible with NAVTEQ's existing traffic codes and will utilize Tele Atlas' broad geographic traffic code coverage. The consortium will begin licensing the codes to third parties beginning in Q1 of 2005.
"As two companies focused on growing the navigation market, NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas recognized the inherent value in partnering to create industry standard traffic codes," said John MacLeod, Executive Vice President, Global Marketing & Strategy for NAVTEQ. "We will continue to work together in the future to maintain and expand the codes to keep pace with the dynamic road network in the U.S."
"As a pioneer in real-time traffic offerings, Tele Atlas has long recognized the value to consumers of real-time information and the increased value this dynamic content adds to digital maps," Richard F. Pearlman, Vice President of Navigation and Telematics for Tele Atlas in North America. "The collaboration between Tele Atlas and NAVTEQ offers customers for the first time the ability to choose map data independent of the traffic data supplier. We are confident that in working together to establish this industry standard, our two companies will enhance the everyday value of our maps."
About Tele Atlas
Founded in 1984, Tele Atlas is a worldwide leading provider of digital maps and dynamic location content for a variety of navigation, location-based services and geospatial products and database solutions. Tele Atlas database is a highly accurate reproduction of today's street network, enabling turn-by-turn route guidance on a high percentage of European, U.S. and Canadian roads. Tele Atlas compatibility with all major navigation systems and its open system design have placed the company's technology at the heart of both consumer and business-to-business applications worldwide. From logistics to marketing to traffic and fleet management, in almost every sector of today's business and consumer world, Tele Atlas has built a reputation as an acknowledged pioneer and leader in the digital map industry. Tele Atlas (TA6) is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the Prime Standard segment. For more information, please visit at www.na.teleatlas.com.
About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that powers navigation and location-based services around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and is privately held. The company's approximately 1,400 employees are in over 100 offices in 20 countries. For more information, visit www.navteq.com.
NAVTEQ is a trademark in the U.S. and other countries.