Ford’s real-time traffic reporting just got 70% better

Ford has become the first automaker to sign with INRIX, a provider of traffic and navigation services. INRIX will power the motor company’s next generation in-car GPS navigation units.

“While other companies treat arterials and city streets just like stretches of uninterrupted highway, we factor in the impact traffic lights, stop signs, curb cuts and other traffic control tools have on traffic speeds to provide a significantly more accurate snapshot of real-time traffic conditions and congestion on these roads,” said Senior Director of Product Management at INRIX Ken Kranseler.

Ford will be making SYNC with traffic, information and directions available to every vehicle in the Ford line up. INRIX will be powering those devices.

MapQuest is also signing with INRIX and will feature the company’s traffic information on its site.

Never heard of INRIX? Don’t feel bad, its customer list reads like a who’s who in the GPS world: Ford Motor Company, TomTom, MapQuest, Microsoft, NAVIGON AG, TeleNav, I-95 Corridor Coalition, Tele Atlas, deCarta, ITIS Holdings, TCS, Telmap, ANWB and ADAC. All these customers are likely to benefit from the commitment INRIX made at CES to expand to cover 60% of the US, over 260,000 miles of roadway.

Company site: [INRIX]