IT Cost Reduction

Navigation solution provider TomTom reportedly has identified Portugal as a nation where it could sell its advanced traffic information service TomTom (News - Alert) High Definition Traffic.

 

For this, TomTom has forged a partnership with Vodafone Portugal. TomTom plans to launch the system in the second half of 2009.

 

HD Traffic from TomTom reportedly delivers up-to-date traffic information to drivers. According to the company, technology uses anonymously collected and processed traffic data generated by the movement patterns of mobile phones in cars, via the Vodafone (News - Alert) Portugal network. This data will be then combined with anonymous data from connected TomTom devices.

 

According to Harold Goddijn, chief executive officer at TomTom, traffic issues continue to be a cause of major concern in Portugal, yet to date there has not been any kind of traffic solution available to drivers in Portugal.

 

“HD Traffic will be Portugal’s first ever traffic offering and it will provide customers with the most accurate arrival and delay times that are constantly updated to reflect the current traffic situation,” Goodijn said.

 

The service enables customers to get the most accurate delay and arrival times in terms of delays in minutes and kilometers. A new update is provided every three minute. The service also gives customers a live overview of traffic throughout Portugal, so they can check the traffic situation before they set off on their journey or re-route in advance to stay on the smartest route.

 

TomTom also plans to include government data on the causes of accidents and delays, as well as traffic flow data generated from local fleet companies.

 

HD Traffic acts as an appropriate technology platform to bring additional connected navigation services such as Local Search with Google (News - Alert) and mobile safety camera reporting to drivers in Portugal, Goddijn said.

 

Vodafone Portugal’s high-quality mobile network and data, coupled with the innovative TomTom traffic information system, will provide Portuguese drivers with traffic information that will let them choose the smartest route for their journeys, said António Carriço, head of Vodafone Portugal Internet Services.

 

“By allowing people to make more efficient use of Portuguese roads, we’ll be truly helping them to make the most of their valuable time,” he said.

 

TomTom also plans to sell the traffic information solution to major automotive manufacturers to include in their navigation solutions, as well as for road authorities and businesses, which may use it for dynamic traffic management or traffic control, as well as improved fleet management, a statement from the company said.

 

The company’s HD Traffic is already running in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France. It will launch in Germany and Switzerland before the end of 2008, according to the company.