Truck Driving Schools

Global Driving

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Traffic information services that feed information about routes and alternative routes has not been up to par and has often frustrated customers of navigation system vendors such as Garmin, Navigon and Dash Navigation according to a recent study by ABI Research.

Now some vendors, including Garmin and Navigon, are offering to waive annual subscription fees and give their customers subscriptions for the lifetime of their device while they improve the quality of traffic information services.

However, traffic information vendors expect the new technologies using Predictive Traffic Information will improve services enormously and give subscribers value for money.

"While there is certainly an issue with convincing consumers to pay monthly fees for navigation content services, in the case of traffic the priority should be to increase the value of the offer before exploring new business models," says ABI Research director Dominique Bonte.

"Predictive traffic [information] makes time-dependent routing possible and provides customers with more trustworthy information, allowing them to prepare their trips more efficiently on Internet mapping sites and to calculate a more accurate ETA," Bonte said recently.

Current traffic information is based on previous traffic patterns and current data about the speed and volume of traffic. The predictive traffic modeling now being developed by companies such as Inrix, Journey Dynamic and TrafficCast will add data based on scheduled events (parades, football games, etc.) weather forecasts, and even vehicle type and driving behavior.

Related Links:

• Your cell phone and traffic congestion
• What is Car to X communication?
• Drivers.com on traffic

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