Tele Atlas Digital Road Routes to End HGV Headache

21 December 2007, 6:27pm

Tele Atlas, a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location-based solutions and satellite device manufacturers, has announced it will integrate Ordnance Survey's digital road routing information into Tele Atlas Logistics, a comprehensive digital map database that identifies the most appropriate road routes for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) throughout Great Britain.

Tele Atlas Logistics, launched in March 2007, has been designed specifically for fleet owners, operators of large trucks and other road-restricted vehicles. With digital road routing information from the Ordnance Survey, Tele Atlas Logistics will enable HGV drivers and haulage operators to use their navigation device to calculate the safest and most suitable routes to reach their destinations based on road height, width and weight restrictions.

Since 1996 UK-based goods vehicle traffic has increased 11 per cent and car traffic has risen 12 percent, contributing towards an increase in delays on UK roads of 8.7 percent since 2005. As a result, many HGV drivers seek routes through towns and villages to avoid known congestion areas.

Allan Rasmussen, database operations manager Tele Atlas UK, adds, "In view of the ever increasing volume of traffic on our roads, facilitating efficient and safe road routing is very important - especially for HGVs."

Allan continues, "Since March 2007, Tele Atlas has continued to develop, enhance and add more content to Tele Atlas Logistics. By using our fleet of mobile mapping vans, our vast resource network, and data from the Ordnance Survey, Tele Atlas has very rich and accurate routing information available to haulage companies and HGV drivers. Tele Atlas Logistics includes attributes like road weight, width and height restrictions, all of which are invaluable to haulage companies and to helping ease congestion on local routes."

The Ordnance Survey's digital road routing information takes into account all local authorities throughout Great Britain and their preferred local haulage routes. By using the recommended routes, hauliers can be sure that they're being directed along the most suitable roads. This will in turn help reduce congestion on local roads and help ensure hauliers can make their journeys safely and efficiently.

Tom Satterthwaite, Senior Product Manager for transport at Great Britain's national mapping agency, Ordnance Survey, says, "With more HGVs on our roads than ever before, this latest addition to Tele Atlas Logistics is testament to the ongoing commitment we have to continuing to develop and improve digital road routing information. Not only will it benefit hauliers but also residents who have to contend with big
lorries driving through their villages or towns."

Donald Armour of the Freight Transport Association welcomes the developments. "HGVs congesting town and village routes creates a negative image for our industry, disrupts delivery, and causes inconvenience to local residents. The ability to select routes for heavy lorries with a view on vehicle height, width, and length restrictions will be a benefit to all parties concerned."

Tele Atlas Logistics is now available to all Tele Atlas partners.

www.teleatlas.com

Geo: International