Standardisation of RDS-TMC
November 07 2003 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:7960R
ITIS Holdings PLC
07 November 2003
7th November 2003
LEXUS AGREES TO STANDARDISE RDS-TMC SERVICE
ITIS Holdings Plc (ITIS) announces today that Lexus GB has standardised its
RDS-TMC (Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel) service commencing with
the LS430 model. Branded as "ETA", (Electronic Traffic Avoidance), the service,
which is launched with immediate effect, allows drivers to receive real-time
traffic information from ITIS on their satellite navigation systems enabling
them to avoid and re-route around traffic congestion on the strategic UK road
network.
ITIS traffic information combines AA Roadwatch and Floating Vehicle Data (FVD)
which is then broadcast using FM bandwidth licenced exclusively to ITIS by the
Radio Authority until 2012.
Stuart Marks, Chief Executive of ITIS, commented, "We are delighted that Lexus
has decided to standardise our RDS-TMC with our dynamic traffic information.
The addition of the service offers clear benefits to drivers with satellite
navigation equipped vehicles and further endorses TMC as the only choice for
vehicle manufacturers who wish to offer real-time traffic information and
dynamic re-routing"
Contact:
Stuart Marks, Chief Executive, ITIS Holdings plc - 0161 929 5788
Ginny Pulbrook, Citigate Dewe Rogerson - 0207 638 9571
Notes to Editors:
* ITIS Holdings plc, listed on Aim, is the UK's leading provider of
traffic information and vehicle security services. ITIS has invested in the
development of a unique system for the collection and analysis of traffic
information; it combines information from the AA traffic control centres with
ITIS Historic and real-time Floating Vehicle Data (FVD) to provide Journey time
forecasts and real-time updates. ITIS now operates the largest commercial
application of FVD anywhere in the world, and delivers the content over a
variety of platforms including RDS-TMC (Alert C), digital radio and automated
telephone services (IVR) under the AA RoadWatch brand.
* ITIS Holdings will provide the service to Lexus Great Britain in
conjunction with its partner the Automobile Association, with which it
collaborates on RDS-TMC as part of a wider agreement between the two companies.
ITIS traffic information is collated from a combination of journalistic and
real-time sources using its own FVD (Floating Vehicle Data) network. The data
is then transmitted via directly to the TMC receiver using a carrier of the
Classic FM radio network, which provides coverage of 90% of the strategic road
network.
* TMC is a European-developed and standardised means of delivering
real-time traffic information. Transmitted data is decoded by a receiving
device such as a satellite navigation system and translated into text or speech
traffic alerts. By combining traffic information delivered via RDS-TMC, with
the re-routing facilities offered by satellite navigation systems, drivers are
finally afforded dynamic avoidance of traffic congestion.
* Through its NavTrak business (www.navtrak.com), ITIS has developed a
unique and innovative stolen vehicle tracking service delivered via GPS/GSM
technology, which offers theft alerts, vehicle tracking and police liaison
throughout Europe.
* Detection of theft - even when owner's keys have been taken. (Automatic
Driver Recognition - ADR)
* Automatic GPS tracking of stolen vehicles (Stolen Vehicle Recovery)
* Theft alerts, GPS tracking and police liaison covering 20 European
countries (EUROWATCH)
* Instantaneous position report to any mobile phone (AutoTrak)
* Mileage reports to show trips and cumulative distances travelled (Journey
Diary)
* The NavTrak family of telematics units are fitted to over 100,000
vehicles both in UK, mainland Europe, America and Australia (including products
made and sold under the manufacturer's name of Minorplanet Systems plc)
* ITIS provide traffic data to all mobile phone providers. To receive
up-to-date traffic and travel information direct from your mobile 'phone call
401100 from any network; 2222 from Vodafone; 2020 from T-mobile
* ITIS provide traffic data to www.getmethere.co.uk, a comprehensive
service from Toyota providing information on route planning, traffic
information, traffic alerts and incidents, and weather forecasts.
For further information please visit www.itisholdings.com or www.navtrak.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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