Company Profile

Fleet Director makes it's UK debut

Trafficmaster launched its comprehensive fleet management and tracking service, Fleet Director, in the UK.

Smartnav gets it's first standard fit

Subaru's new super car, the Impreza WRX STI spec. D is fitted as standard with Smartnav, an advanced satellite navigation system developed by Trafficmaster

Chevrolet approves Smartnav

Chevrolet approves Smartnav as an accessory across all models. Furthermore Smartnav is fitted as standard on the Chevrolet Lacetti 1.8 CDX saloon.

Trafficmaster's RDS TMC service goes from strength to strength

Trafficmaster wins RDS TMC contracts with Honda, Audi, Siemens VDO Dayton, Navigon, Garmin and Alpine. 

Trafficmaster joins forces with Transport for London (TfL)

In a joint partnership between Trafficmaster and Transport for London, comprehensive traffic data across the whole of capital is made available to London drivers. 

Trafficmaster appoints new Chief Executive

Tony Eales replaces Stuart Berman as Chief Executive of Trafficmaster plc. He also continues to run the Teletrac operation in the US.

Volkswagen adds Smartnav to its approved accessory list

Smartnav is available on the Passat, Golf and Golf+ models as an approved accessory.

Trafficmaster offers RDS-TMC

Trafficmaster launches RDS-TMC (Radio Data System-Traffic Message Channel) to provide drivers with accurate real time traffic flow data via a standard-fit or optional on-board navigation system

Trafficmaster acquires satellite navigation company Yeoman Group PLC

Smartnav is approved by a further twelve automotive manufacturers.

Smartnav is approved by:
· Mercedes Benz
· Jaguar
· Land Rover
· BMW
· MINI
· Kia
· Nissan
· Ford
. Subaru & Isuzu
. Suzuki
. Fiat & Alfa Romeo
. GM Daewoo

Smartnav announces partnerships with motor dealership groups

Smartnav partners Sytner, Pendragon, Hartwell and Lancaster motor groups to expand its sales channels

Smartnav is fitted on production line for the MG Rover 75

MG Rover is the first manufacturer to fit Smartnav on the production line for the Rover 75 model

Smartnav launches Touch Screen

Trafficmaster launches Smartnav Touch Screen, a feature rich LCD visual display designed specifically for drivers who would appreciate the comfort of visual instructions to accompany Smartnav’s spoken directions

Smartnav is awarded with Auto Express' Satellite Navigation System 2004

 Tested against all leading after market satellite navigation systems, Smartnav wins consumer magazine, Auto Express' Best Satellite Navigation System 2004

Trafficmaster appoints new chief executive

Founder of Trafficmaster, David Martell, retires from his position as Chief Executive and appoints Stuart Berman.

Smartnav wipes the board

2003 was an important year for Trafficmaster’s Smartnav, the easy to use, technologically advanced satellite navigation system that guides you around the jams.

• February - Hyundai fits Smartnav as standard on its Sonata V6
• May - Smartnav wins Auto Express’ Car Accessory of the Year
• July - Chrysler & Jeep selects Smartnav as its approved satellite navigation option
• July - Mitsubishi selects Smartnav as its approved satellite navigation option
• August - Lex Vehicle Leasing fits Smartnav to new and existing company cars
• August - Which? report announces Smartnav as Best Buy
• September - Mazda selects Smartnav as its approved satellite navigation option
• September - Citroen selects Smartnav as its approved satellite navigation option
• September - Mitsubishi fits Smartnav as standard on its Shogan Warrior
• October - MG Rover selects Smartnav as its approved satellite navigation option
• November - Subaru & Isuzu select Smartnav as its approved satellite navigation option

Trackstar also proved successful in 2003. It became an approved accessory on the Nissan and Mazda ranges.

Smartnav launch

Trafficmaster launched Smartnav. Smartnav is the first any-car system to combine satellite navigation with live, historic, forecast and incident based traffic information and a personal assistant to answer questions and even take orders for flowers and champagne. Smartnav also offers 24-hour security in the event of a breakdown or emergency and your personal assistant can direct you to banks, restaurants, hotels and points of interest such as tourist attractions.

BMW Messenger

In October 2002, BMW announced the market introduction of Messenger, a location based traffic warning device. It is available as an approved option fitment on all new BMW and Mini models and as an approved accessory for existing customers.

MG Rover

Also in October 2002, Trafficmaster reached an agreement with MG Rover to provide its customers with Trafficmaster Clock Alert. The Clock Alert provides drivers with traffic congestion warnings on roads to within a 20 mile radius of the vehicle. Trafficmaster Clock Alert is fitted as standard to all 2003 built 25 and 45 MG Rover Models.

Teletrac acquisition

In February 2001, Trafficmaster acquired Teletrac, Inc., a US based telematics company - this was fully approved in May. The USA is the largest and most influential automotive market in the world. It is a market in which telematics is gaining rapidly in visibility as new higher speed mobile data capabilities become available and motor manufacturers develop their telematics programmes.

New Headquarters

In March, Trafficmaster brought together its group of businesses into a new headquarters building at Cranfield in Bedfordshire.

Trafficmaster Monitor

Trafficmaster Monitor was launched in August 2001. This in-car full colour screen unit provides delay information at points of congestion on a scrolling map covering over 8,000 miles of the UK’s road network.

Motorola Link Further Strengthened

Trafficmaster and Motorola further strengthened their existing alliance in February 2000 by collaborating with Blaupunkt in the provision of dynamic traffic information directly onto its satellite navigation systems via GSM - a massive step towards dynamic navigation becoming more widely available.

Trafficmaster Europe GmbH

Trafficmaster Europe GmbH was set up in May 2000 and located in Hochheim am Main near Frankfurt.

Fleetstar Dynamic Fleet Management Package

Trafficmaster sold Fleetstar to Cybit Holdings in February 2002. Fleetstar is a dynamic fleet management information system with the unique addition of Trafficmaster live traffic information. Trafficmaster retains a 10% interest in the business.

OEM partnerships grow

Trafficmaster continued to develop its relationships with motor manufacturers. At the Birmingham International Motor Show in October it gained three more motor manufacturer relationships with Renault and Mitsubishi (Trackstar) and Land Rover (Monitor).

Trafficmaster also expanded existing relationships with Citroën designing Trafficmaster Oracle into the new Citroën C5.

BMW also extended its Monitor programme to cover the whole UK range of saloon and four-wheel drive models.

The United States of America

Trafficmaster established an office in Detroit, Michigan, USA in anticipation of entering the market with telematics services in metropolitan areas across the country. 

RAC Trafficmaster Telematics

In January Trafficmaster announced a joint venture company with the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) - RAC Trafficmaster Telematics Ltd (RTT). With the combined strengths of the RAC brand and Trafficmaster's unique technologies, the new company provides a range of services to motor manufacturers, RAC members and other customers.

Trackstar - The Ultimate Vehicle Security System

Introduction of Trackstar, a GPS based vehicle security system, which instantly pinpoints the exact location, speed and direction of a stolen vehicle.

AA Traffic Data Direct Feed

In 1999, the Automobile Association (AA), signed an agreement with Trafficmaster to take an exclusive feed of raw data direct from its nationwide network of sensors and transmitters.

Dynamic Navigation - The Next Generation

In September 1999, Motorola signed an agreement with Trafficmaster to supply the GSM mobile receiver system, used to deliver dynamic traffic information direct to satellite navigation systems. This was the first step in the development of Smartnav, Trafficmaster’s easy to use, advanced satellite navigation system. This partnership brings together the leaders in their fields to deliver a combination of high quality traffic and navigation information to the driver. 

Citroën takes Oracle

In 1998, Citroën announced that all Xantia models would be equipped with Trafficmaster Oracle as standard for the UK 1999 Model Year, an association which continued for 7 years with Oracle also fitted in the C5 model.

New mobile phone services

In July 1998 the RAC, in conjunction with Trafficmaster and O2, launched RAC Traffic Alert, which in addition to providing information directly from Trafficmaster's network of sensors, also provides RAC incident information. The system has since been further developed to enable motorists to dial into any motorway or trunk road in the UK from any location.

Traffic information services are also available through Vodafone, Virgin’s WAP phone traffic information service and Orange.

Trunk Road Network Added With PTFM

Following further significant investment, Trafficmaster added the UK trunk road network to its sensor coverage in October 1998. Representing a three-fold increase in route mileage, the result is that some 8,000 miles of British roads are now monitored on a 24-hour basis.

A new sensor technology was developed for these trunk routes - Passive Target Flow Measurement (PTFM). Using digital video-based technology, the sensor captures the centre four digits of a vehicle number plate and converts them to an electronic 'tag'. This tag is then followed along the road, from sensor to sensor enabling the time to travel a known distance to be computed.

First live traffic information, available via GSM cellular telephone

In July 1997, Trafficmaster signed a contract in the UK with Cellnet, now O2, to provide the first live traffic information service in the world via GSM telephone. The focus of this service was the transmission of 'cell specific' traffic information into the cellular network, which enables the user to receive traffic information within their location.

Oracle - The First OEM Product

In January 1996, Trafficmaster’s live traffic information became available on the Vauxhall Motors web site. In April, the company launched its first product for an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Trafficmaster Oracle, which came as standard on all Vectra models in the UK market and was subsequently added to the Vauxhall Omega range.

Twenty-five year licence granted

Twenty-five year licence granted by Department for Transport, covering England, Scotland and Wales. This includes motorway infra-red sensors and Passive Target Flow Measurement sensors on trunk roads.

BMW Monitor introduced in 5-series

BMW was the first car manufacturer to realise the benefits to its customers of having traffic information available on their in-car information screens and introduced BMW Monitor in 1996.

New products available

Trafficmaster launched the first screen-based product delivering nationwide traffic information - Trafficmaster YQ and its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) version - Trafficmaster Monitor.

Scottish licence granted

Local broadcast facility introduced supported by Trafficmaster receivers

Flotation Completed

Trafficmaster floated on the London Stock Exchange

UK Motorways covered

The national motorway sensor network was completed.