Real-Time Traffic Information Will Become a Key Feature for Navigation, Says ABI Research
NEW YORK--(Business Wire)--With basic navigation devices and services becoming commonplace in
the industrialized world, driven by the rapid growth of GPS adoption,
the next frontier is a richer variety of location-aware content. The
first prominent example of such dynamic content is real-time traffic
information, which will be further enhanced by the addition of
historical and predictive traffic data to assist drivers in
determining the best route. According to a new study from ABI
Research, these traffic information services will reach more than 83
million paid or registered users worldwide by 2012.
"When it comes to collecting and distributing useful traffic
data," says research director Mike Ippoliti of ABI Research, "the
emphasis is shifting. Reporting of 'incident data' from accidents,
road closures, other emergencies is becoming routine; the next step is
predictive and probe-derived data that can deliver information on more
complex problems and support re-routing of drivers around traffic
problems."
ABI Research sees three elements to the puzzle of providing truly
useful traffic data for navigation systems.
First, the traffic data collection ecosystem is very complex.
Infrastructure measurement systems (road sensors, cameras, radar, or
loop sensors) are expensive and hard to install. But alternative
collection methods such as floating-car data, and potentially cellular
movement data, require no roadside installations, and may prove to be
the sources of choice for many data collectors.
A second challenge is traffic data aggregation. As the basic data
becomes more available, the complex data derived from floating-car
probes or predictive modeling will become the differentiator. But such
data are harder to integrate into navigation routing.
A third factor is market landscape. ABI Research expects INRIX and
NAVTEQ/Traffic.com to become the two players in traffic data. Other
players will largely become marginalized, or will supply INRIX or
NAVTEQ/Traffic.com. That said, Ippoliti adds, "INRIX is itself a prime
target for acquisition within the next few years. One could speculate
on potential buyers, such as a PND maker who was disappointed not to
acquire a map data provider, and needs a source of data leverage in
the market."
A new ABI Research study, "Traffic Information for Navigation
Systems" (http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/RTS),
examines the collection, aggregation and delivery methods for traffic
information. The report identifies key market drivers, analyzes
important players, and provides detailed forecasts for each major
region. It forms part of three Research Services: Automotive
Infotainment
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Automotive_Infotainment
_Research_Service), Commercial Telematics
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Commercial_
Telematics_Research_Service) and Location Aware Services
(http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/Location_Aware_Services).
(Long URLs in this release may need to be copied/pasted into your
Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one
exists.)
ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the
impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business
markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary
research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry
analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with
their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit
www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.
ABI Research
Nicole Fabris, 516-624-2542
pr@abiresearch.com
Copyright Business Wire 2007
