[Lagger]

[from Winding Road: http://news.windingroad.com/?p=1352]

BMW drivers will soon be able to anticipate traffic jams and plan alternate routes with their navigation systems.

The automaker announced today that it will offer Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) on select U.S. lines: 3, 5, and 6 Series models; X5; M5 and M6. Critically, BMW’s new system goes beyond the RTTI already offered by rival Acura, in that it offers “dynamic rerouting” when faced with traffic obstacles (AcuraLink requires drivers to manually input new routes).

The RTTI service will work in around 44 major metropolitan areas, and relies on Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network for information (AcuraLink uses XM-based technology). Clear Channel’s traffic information is gathered from a comprehensive network of FM radio stations, embedded road sensors, traffic video monitors, and so on.

According to BMW, the new feature will be available at no additional cost to owners for four years.

(Official press release after the jump)

BMW ADDS REAL TIME TRAFFIC INFORMATION TO ITS NAVIGATION SYSTEM
09/07/2006

Navigation Systems In Select 2007 BMWs Enhanced With Traffic and Rerouting Information For Major Metropolitan Areas Across The U.S.
New Benefit Added At No Additional Monthly Cost To Customer

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - September 7, 2006… Underscoring its commitment to delivering industry-leading service, technology, and innovation, BMW today announced the availability of Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI). This new premium service feature will offer timely traffic information and for the first time on any production vehicle sold in the United States, dynamic rerouting on navigation systems in select 2007 BMW models, ie. the X5, M5, M6, and the 3, 5, and 6 Series models. Set to launch this September, RTTI represents the company’s latest addition to its list of premium consumer features and benefits.

“As an independent company deeply rooted in innovation, we are extremely excited to add RTTI to our robust suite of offerings,” said Alan Harris, Vice President of Aftersales for BMW of North America. “At no recurring cost to the customer, RTTI transforms the navigation system from an option that is mainly used only when customers are lost or going to an unknown destination, to a daily benefit that helps them reach their destinations more efficiently and effortlessly than ever before. We will continue to seek groundbreaking ideas, technologies and features that give drivers peace of mind and improve the daily driving experience.”

Unlike other automobile manufacturers that charge a recurring monthly fee for RTTI, or require customers to pay for an additional satellite radio service, BMW has included RTTI as part of the cost of the navigation system for select 2007 BMW models. There are no activation fees or recurring monthly charges to BMW customers for 4 years.

BMW’s new RTTI service will be available in as many as 44 major metropolitan markets through Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network, Clear Channel Radio’s award-winning programming and technology service that delivers Real Time Traffic Information directly to vehicles over its extensive network of FM radio stations.

With the help of Clear Channel’s broadcast network, customers no longer have to search for traffic reports on radio stations to be in-the-know about traffic situations. Up-to-date traffic information is compiled from a variety of sources including FM radio stations, highway-embedded sensors, video monitors on bridges and roadways, and local traffic monitoring centers. Traffic data is then streamed to a dedicated tuner in the car’s radio and transferred directly to the navigation system. So customers can receive traffic updates from a variety of stations, 24 hours a day, seven days a week-even when the radio is turned off or when the customer is listening to other entertainment sources such as a CD or iPod. The navigation system calculates the best route considering the traffic incidents and potential delays. In addition to alerting the driver to where the traffic is, if the delay is calculated to be more than 5 minutes then the navigation system will offer alternative routes around the congestion, either automatically or at the choice of the driver.

BMW-A Company of Ideas

BMW has a unique corporate culture which puts a premium on constant innovation and inspiration. This is reflected in projects like BMW CleanEnergy, BMW’s commitment to a sustainable future for mobility using renewable hydrogen fuel, BMW Design, which sets trends in interior and exterior styling, and the award-winning BMW FILMS. BMW believes there is nothing more rewarding than helping great ideas live on.

[Lagger]

Anyone know if we'll be able to upgrade 2006?

[vladinecko]

Originally Posted by Lagger

Anyone know if we'll be able to upgrade 2006?

i'm pretty sure they would mention it in the release it were possible.

also notice the intentional exclusion of the 7-series. Z4 & M3 make sense because they don't have iDrive but 7er?

[canucklion]

maybe the 7 already has this feature?

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i'm pretty sure they would mention it in the release it were possible.

also notice the intentional exclusion of the 7-series. Z4 & M3 make sense because they don't have iDrive but 7er?

[Lagger]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i'm pretty sure they would mention it in the release it were possible.

The 2006 e90s have this right now in Germany. I would assume that the nav. system here in the U.S. is basically the same and would require minimal updating to support this feature, if BMW NA chooses to do so.

[longtran]

Originally Posted by Lagger

The 2006 e90s have this right now in Germany. I would assume that the nav. system here in the U.S. is basically the same and would require minimal updating to support this feature, if BMW NA chooses to do so.

i hope so. i will be first in line. i hope its just the dvd.

[dmfitz82]

^^ I second that! I would definitely get that!

[miamidanny]

The traffic info is received from FM signal...doubt if a software update would make this work on 06 models...might involve more equipment.

[Lagger]

I found the answer posted in the general info forum:

Model Availability
Real Time Traffic is available on the following vehicles produced as of:
Model available as of production date:
3 Series Sedan/Sports Wagon 9/06
3 Series Coupe 6/06
5 Series Sedan/Sports Wagon 9/06
6 Series Model Year 2007
X5 Model Year 2007
M5 Model Year 2007
M6 Model Year 2007

[ROCKETRON]

I have this already in UK on my 06 m-sport.It works very well, it tells you that there are traffic problems on your route and you have the option of a re-route, seems to work well. The info comes from the FM signal so i assume a software change would just get the car to interpret the info.

[garehaan]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

i'm pretty sure they would mention it in the release it were possible.

also notice the intentional exclusion of the 7-series. Z4 & M3 make sense because they don't have iDrive but 7er?

The 7 has Idrive, but the old nav computer using the same software as the X5 and X3

[BMW to BMW]

Am I wrong in thinking that we've had this in the UK for a while as standard with the Nav??

[garehaan]

Originally Posted by BMW to BMW

Am I wrong in thinking that we've had this in the UK for a while as standard with the Nav??

Nope, nothing new on this side of the Atlantic...

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by jnL

i hope so. i will be first in line. i hope its just the dvd.

I doubt it you need new OS to implement this feature.

[London320d]

The sysmols in the picture at the head of this thread does look exactly like the "TMC" functionality we've had in the UK for a few years now (OK not exactly - we have triangular warning symbols rather then diamonds - but these are just icons).

The traffic data is broadcast along with an FM radio station "Classic FM" in the UK at the moment and requires licence keycodes on the Nav disc to decrypt the data. I've no information on how far ahead the Nav disc holds TMC unlock codes. Interesting that the press release says the function is provided free for four years - maybe this is the amount of licence codes on the disc. All the more reasom to make sure a deler coughs up the latese disc and does not swap it of on from stock which he cant sell as an upgrade any more.

The Pro nav system includes a second radio tuner that listens to Classic for us, incase our musical tastes lie elsewhere.

I'd be suprised if the US system uses different rechnology to the European system (meybe a google search ofor terms like TMC "Treffic Message Channel" and the US system names listed in the press release, might turn up a description of the standards, so they can be compared). If the data is encoded in the same way on the radio channel, then it can't be more than a new nav disc (and possibly software upgrade to the car)

[DrPowers]

can anyone confirm that this will be available as an upgrade for US '06s with navigation???

[dmfitz82]

^^bump

[BMW06]

Same thing was discussed recently on this thread ...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25499

I guess everyone must have looked at it.
No conlusion, has been reached yet. (For US people like us waiting to get a word on possibility of TMC in our 2006 E90)
But there are some 'credible' answers by JSpira there !!!

[dmfitz82]

I think everybody wants it...

[apw2607]

In theory, you could probably get this on earlier cars if you switched out the radio with the new 9.2006 model that has the dual tuner capability. Also the I-Drive s/w would need to be upgraded ... and ofcourse the 3rd part of this is that the Navteq Map DVD would have to be RTTI enabled. No doubt the 2007.1 DVDs are?

Whether BMW NA would "allow" this retrofit ... or even offer it is another matter entirely. Perhaps if you all shout loud enough ... someone at HQ might take note !

[brinta]

So the system in Europe calls TMC. I live in Belgium and can choose between a couple (3 to 5) FM channels. Some are more accurate than others.

It's very nice. I always plan the route between my work and home location. Ofcourse i know my way, but in a traffic jam (triangles popping up) it provides me an alternative route when appropriate. It's cool and works nice.

This summer we went to france and the system works even better there because the country is bigger and you have more alternative roads.

The only problem with this is the broadcast. The TMS system is as accurate as the guy that has to enter the traffic information in the system before broadcasting. When he doesn't do his job properly, you won't get your update

We can choose between the following options... manually choose your radio station for TMC broadcast or choose the strongest system automatically. Unfortunately the strongest station providing the TMC signal isn't always the best.

But overall, here in Europe it's a nice feature which works perfect!

[magmd]

Originally Posted by Lagger

I found the answer posted in the general info forum:

Model Availability
Real Time Traffic is available on the following vehicles produced as of:
Model available as of production date:
3 Series Sedan/Sports Wagon 9/06
3 Series Coupe 6/06
5 Series Sedan/Sports Wagon 9/06
6 Series Model Year 2007
X5 Model Year 2007
M5 Model Year 2007
M6 Model Year 2007

Man..........this is really going to piss me off if this is another item not available to pre-sept 06 vehicles.