NAVTEQ Announces Real-Time Traffic for United Arab Emirates

More than 3,700 kilometers of roadway coverage now available in U.A.E.'s three largest cities

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Feb 09, 2011, 08:00 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, announced the launch of NAVTEQ Traffic™ in the United Arab Emirates, the first traffic launch for NAVTEQ in the Middle East.

According to recent NAVTEQ research, traffic information is the most sought after navigation-related feature on GPS navigation devices with 96% of wireless navigation users saying they want the feature and 89% of in-car drivers citing a desire for real-time traffic in U.A.E. Additionally, traffic-enabled navigation users in this region spend 18 percent less time driving on average than those without navigation, or an annual savings of four days less on the road.

NAVTEQ's comprehensive new coverage in this region includes more than 3,700 kilometers of roadways for U.A.E.'s three largest cities - Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, covering more than 50% of the region's population.

NAVTEQ Traffic is a quality-tested, comprehensive solution that links up-to-the minute traffic information to map data and enables wireless transmission directly to in-vehicle navigation systems, personal navigation devices and cell phones. NAVTEQ Traffic delivers detailed information about traffic speeds, allowing drivers to make better routing and re-routing decisions.

With this most recent launch, NAVTEQ continues to lead the way as the global traffic leader, enabling industry-leading, accurate traffic information around the world. NAVTEQ Traffic is also currently available in 23 countries around the world*.

"High-quality, accurate traffic information is in high demand in the Middle East," said Howard Hayes, senior vice president for NAVTEQ Traffic. "The launch of NAVTEQ Traffic in the United Arab Emirates, our first traffic launch in this region, represents our continued dedication to deliver comprehensive real-time traffic information that saves travelers time and money wherever they travel in U.A.E."

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data (digital location content) enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world. NAVTEQ supplies comprehensive digital location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 5,400 employees located in 214 offices in 49 countries.

* These countries include: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, United States.