Floating Car Data ensure high quality and full coverage

Karlsruhe, Germany — March 25, 2010 — ViaMichelin invest in state-of-the-art traffic data technology to set itself apart from other traffic information service providers. To this end, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Michelin has chosen PTV's transportation experts who will share their knowledge and expertise on the basis of a strategic cooperation. The aim is to provide real-time traffic information throughout France by means of floating car data, which supplement the existing permanent detectors.

Normally, the main source of data for traffic information services is provided by detector equipment installed along motorways and trunk roads. However, the detectors do not cover the entire road and information network.

In order to close this information gap, ViaMichelin uses Floating Car Data (FCD) which are transmitted from vehicles on the road, thus turning cars into mobile sensors. This technique delivers precise information about the driving speed on a specific route and converts it into detailed traffic information for the entire road network of France. Thanks to Floating Car Data, ViaMichelin can now provide its customers with additional and precise traffic information with wider and more granular coverage.

Dr. Andreas Ludwig, Project Manager at PTV Germany, says: “PTV has always been able to process extremely large amounts of traffic data. In this cooperation with ViaMichelin, we will leverage this recognized know-how in the field of real-time data, to allow ViaMichelin to develop an even more reliable and powerful high-quality service for the whole of France.“

Ten years ago Michelin decided to further expand its travel and tourism business by introducing new digital technologies and establishing a subsidiary called ViaMichelin. The new company has become a leading provider of geo-located content and services in the B2C and B2B business. Available in 12 languages www.ViaMichelin.com (attracting over 400 million visits per year) offers a wealth of useful travel information, such as seven different route options, itineraries that are displayed directly on maps, a keyword search engine, high-definition aerial and satellite photography, traffic information, hotel booking, 5-day weather forecasts and the option for web users to post their own views and comments on restaurants, hotels and tourist sites, and, since March 2010, a brand new travel channel called ViaMichelin Travel.

PTV will be presenting the project for the first time at Intertraffic in Amsterdam, 23rd - 26th March, 2010.

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Background Information:

PTV TrafficPlatform - Intelligent Traffic Management
The PTV TrafficPlatform is based on a modular architecture and provides intelligent methods for traffic analyses and forecasts. It therefore builds the basis for a wide range of applications in the field of advanced, integrated and effective traffic and transportation management. The platform excels at accurately and dynamically modelling current and expected traffic conditions based on real-time data. Traffic reporters at traffic management centres can now access all static and dynamic traffic data and reports in real-time. The information can be edited, supplemented, displayed and analysed on maps. The PTV TrafficPlatform helps traffic planners to both manage and intelligently combine the data sets.
The traffic management system is designed for freeways and arterial streets as well as for applications in the field of integrated traffic control. It is also the core component for sophisticated traveller information systems. It has especially been designed for:
 - Traffic management centres and complex traffic control systems
 - Private service providers in cooperation with public authorities
 - Companies generating traffic data
 - Service providers offering traffic management and mobility services
 - Universities and private research institutes

About ViaMichelin

A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Michelin Group, ViaMichelin designs, develops and markets digital travel assistance products and services for road users throughout Europe. Launched in 2001 and drawing on over a century of Michelin experience in travel assistance, ViaMichelin offers a wide range of services to both the general public and the business sector including route plans, driving directions, on-line hotel booking, Michelin Guide hotel, restaurant and tourist recommendations and weather and traffic reports, which are made available across a range of digital channels including the Internet ( www.viamichelin.co.uk), mobile handsets and personal navigation devices.



Contact:

Kristina Stifter
Vice President Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49-721-9651-565,
Fax: +49-721-9651-684,
E-Mail: Email Contact

PTV Planung Transport Verkehr AG
Stumpfstr. 1,
76131 Karlsruhe
Internet: www.ptvag.com
E-Mail: Email Contact