German Car Zone

BMW Adds Real-Time Traffic Information to Navigation Systems

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - September 7, 2006... Underscoring its commitment to delivering industry-leading service, technology, and innovation, BMW today announced the availability of Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI). This new premium service feature will offer timely traffic information and for the first time on any production vehicle sold in the United States, dynamic rerouting on navigation systems in select 2007 BMW models, ie. the X5, M5, M6, and the 3, 5, and 6 Series models. Set to launch this September, RTTI represents the company's latest addition to its list of premium consumer features and benefits.

"As an independent company deeply rooted in innovation, we are extremely excited to add RTTI to our robust suite of offerings," said Alan Harris, Vice President of Aftersales for BMW of North America. "At no recurring cost to the customer, RTTI transforms the navigation system from an option that is mainly used only when customers are lost or going to an unknown destination, to a daily benefit that helps them reach their destinations more efficiently and effortlessly than ever before. We will continue to seek groundbreaking ideas, technologies and features that give drivers peace of mind and improve the daily driving experience."

Unlike other automobile manufacturers that charge a recurring monthly fee for RTTI, or require customers to pay for an additional satellite radio service, BMW has included RTTI as part of the cost of the navigation system for select 2007 BMW models. There are no activation fees or recurring monthly charges to BMW customers for 4 years.

BMW's new RTTI service will be available in as many as 44 major metropolitan markets through Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network, Clear Channel Radio's award-winning programming and technology service that delivers Real Time Traffic Information directly to vehicles over its extensive network of FM radio stations.

With the help of Clear Channel's broadcast network, customers no longer have to search for traffic reports on radio stations to be in-the-know about traffic situations. Up-to-date traffic information is compiled from a variety of sources including FM radio stations, highway-embedded sensors, video monitors on bridges and roadways, and local traffic monitoring centers. Traffic data is then streamed to a dedicated tuner in the car's radio and transferred directly to the navigation system. So customers can receive traffic updates from a variety of stations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week-even when the radio is turned off or when the customer is listening to other entertainment sources such as a CD or iPod. The navigation system calculates the best route considering the traffic incidents and potential delays. In addition to alerting the driver to where the traffic is, if the delay is calculated to be more than 5 minutes then the navigation system will offer alternative routes around the congestion, either automatically or at the choice of the driver.

Source: mwerks.com

Now I don't want to sound like a Japanesecarfanboy! but,

WELCOME TO ACURA-Satellite Linked Navigation system with Real-Time Traffic Monitoring System.

Yes but Acura's system does not offer dynamic rerouting.

Actually the Acura system does...I'm not sure what Dynamic Rerouting is exactly but Acura has a system that asks you if you want to use another route.

I can't find it right now...but I saw a video of it in use as well as they showed it in one of the commercials here in the US.

Singapore is so small we don't need navigation.

Dynamic rerouting is just that... when there's traffic, the system will offer an alternate route on the fly!

BMW claims they are the first... but hey, bull****ing is a big part of marketing!

hmm interesting....because I can swear that I've seen the system in use on the Acura RL here in the US. Now i'm not sure...i'm going to have to ask a few RL owners but the Claim that BMW is making might be the fact I since Acura's system uses XM sat-radio for it's signal and you have to pay for it (i think) and BMW's is free?

This system has been around for years in Europe, or the UK at least, the US has taken it's time to get this new technology!

Even my Dad's TomTom which he's had for about 2 years has this system!

hey man i think i had this in my W220.. you could chose..
fastest route
Shortest route
and Dynamic route