NAVTEQ Introduces Road Side Warnings

13 December 2007, 3:26pm

NAVTEQ (NYSE: NVT), a leading global provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, has introduced road side warnings and expanded the posted speed limits in its map database. This new content enables improved routing and navigation by taking into account changing speed limits as well as bends and hills when calculating the route. In addition, the twenty-one different road side warnings such as sharp bend ahead, steep hill, or no overtaking ahead can be used to inform drivers about the road environment.

“Our consumer research indicates that advice on speed is a top feature drivers are looking for when purchasing a navigation system,” said Bruno Bourguet, Vice President and General Manager, Vehicle Applications. “They are saying this kind of additional information improves satisfaction with their navigation system and vehicle overall.”

Road side warning information assists drivers by providing advance warning of potentially hazardous situations. For example, on a major road, the speed limit may decrease dramatically when approaching a small residential pocket. Speed limit alerts can not only inform the driver of this change but also advise when the speed returns to a higher limit. In addition, a driver can also be informed about an approaching hill, bend or lane merge.

These same attributes can help in routing by taking into account steep hills where travel will be slower. “Speed limits and road side warnings allow the fleet manager to calculate optimum routes and improve timings on deliveries,” said Eric Fumat, Vice President and General Manager, Enterprise and Government Sales. “What may look like the fastest route on a map, may in fact be the longest, if the route spends the majority of the time cutting through mountains.”

The posted speed limits include 100% of major roads in Western Europe, eighteen Eastern Europe countries, the United States, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. Also included in the map are selected secondary and arterial roads.

NAVTEQ road side warning information includes 21 sign types (such as no overtaking, lane merge, railway crossing, bends, steep hills, winding roads, lateral winds) posted on major roads in most Western European countries. Future plans include broader coverage in additional countries.

www.navteq.com

Geo: International