Garmin is teaming with INRIX to provide up-to-the-minute traffic information across the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) network. By leveraging the latest breakthroughs in DAB technology, INRIX will help Garmin deliver better, more detailed live traffic data, updated more frequently and without an internet connection.

This new generation of “Garmin 3D Traffic Live” will provide Garmin customers access to fully featured live traffic information without any subscription costs.

“We have seen, through the success of our satnavs with lifetime maps, that customers want a great service but do not want to worry about paying future subscriptions”, said Clive Taylor director of EMEA product marketing. “With this new technology Garmin customers will receive the latest live traffic information on their GPS device and not have to think about subscriptions anymore”.

Digital broadcasting offers two main advantages, in comparison to TMC (Traffic Message Channel) or the GSM network, which has been used so far to provide live traffic information. Firstly larger data volumes (about 80x higher bandwidth than TMC) are submitted, which results in traffic that is more accurate, covers a broader geographic area, and more detailed than previously possible over broadcast networks.

Secondly it is increasing the speed of updating the live traffic information to every minute, over twice as fast in comparison to current services. This “real time information” provides drivers with earlier warning to traffic incidents helping them to avoid frustrating delays.