Mapping and location technology company Here says Hyundai has added its HD+ Traffic service to some 2017 models that will be sold in the U.S. and Canada.
According to the Here 360 blog, “Here HD+ Traffic is a distribution mechanism that offers drivers real-time traffic information by combining broadcast and connected vehicle technology.” The service utilizes 160 stations’ HD Radio broadcasts and “uses a TPEG format in both connected and broadcast services which enables simple switching”; the company says this means that traditional broadcast traffic can be used in areas where the most traffic congestion occurs (usually metropolitan areas), and the connected services can then be used outside of those broadcast areas.
Here is the data partner of the Broadcaster Traffic Consortium, which is headed up by President Paul Brenner; Here’s traffic service utilizes broadcasts from BTC member stations. The BTC was founded in 2007 and formed to build a national terrestrial broadcasting network to distribute local traffic and other map-related data via FM and HD Radio technology. Its founding members are Beasley Broadcast Group; Bonneville International; Cox Radio, Inc.; Emmis Communications; Entercom Communications Corp.; NPR and Radio One; and now has grown to include 23 broadcast groups in the US and Canada.
“The recent announcement by Here and Hyundai to launch traffic services delivered via HD Radio and BTC radio stations adds to the list of real-world innovative solutions enabled when radio industry leaders work together. Of all the radio industry discussions about a broadcaster automotive strategy, one of the best ways to help ourselves, strategically, is to play a role in helping the automakers bring their customers a unique, fresh and beneficial solution,” said Brenner.
