Garmin Nuvi 1690 with NAVTEQ Traffic in Europe

NAVTEQ announced that they are going to supply the traffic to the connected Garmin Nuvi 1690T for Europe, the first time the maker has had a traffic connected unit in Europe according to the press release. So while we all know that having a GPS helps keep us from getting lost, it can also have a more dramatic effect when used frequently. According to a 2009 NAVTEQ study, "Distances traveled were reduced and fuel efficiency increased, which would decrease each driver's CO2 emissions by 21% - all results which illustrate the many benefits of a real-time traffic service." Not bad and Earth Day is right around the corner!

Garmin as a Traffic Probe
Potentially the more interesting statement is this: "Additional probe data will be collected from Garmin devices and integrated into the system." Finally, the other largest maker of GPS devices in the world is on the GPS probe bandwagon. Glad to see that they value traffic and the larger data models that a whole lot of users can help feed. It matters, and flow data is important. The only way to get truly broad coverage is to get vehicles out there "reporting" on the traffic flow for you.

Press Release after the jump.....

NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, has been selected by Garmin to provide its real-time traffic service in Germany for the Garmin nuvi 1690. This will be the first time Garmin has offered a European traffic service on a connected device.

NAVTEQ Traffic in Germany delivers comprehensive, real-time traffic information for the primary road network. It covers 25,000 kilometers of motorways using NAVTEQ's own sensors, and data from public traffic information centers also provides coverage of trunk and arterial roads in cities and other areas. Additional probe data will be collected from Garmin devices and integrated into the system.

Detailed information on road construction, traffic speeds and accidents is linked to the NAVTEQ© map and transmitted directly to the Garmin nuvi 1690 devices, which feature an integrated wireless module. Included in the price of the PND is free access for one year to Garmin nuLink!™ services which include safety cameras, weather, fuel prices, flight status, white page telephone listings and, of course, NAVTEQ Traffic for Germany.

"NAVTEQ Traffic is a premium service which will complement our range extremely well," commented Clive Taylor, product marketing manager, Garmin Europe. "We are committed to helping our customers save time and money, and accurate real-time traffic information will contribute to more efficient and cost-effective routing."

The nuvi 1690 also includes Garmin's ecoRoute™, which helps people develop better driving habits by producing fuel and mileage reports based on fuel consumption rates, driving speeds and vehicle acceleration data.

"A NAVTEQ study* we undertook in Germany revealed that drivers using navigation devices with traffic information spent 18% less time driving per trip, saving four days every year compared to those without navigation," added Serge Bussat, NAVTEQ vice president consumer & wireless sales Europe. "Distances travelled were reduced and fuel efficiency increased, which would decrease each driver's CO2 emissions by 21% - all results which illustrate the many benefits of a real-time traffic service."

*NAVTEQ Navigation Benefits Study (2009)

April 20, 2010

Garmin Nuvi 1690 with NAVTEQ Traffic in Europe