HERE, a leader in mapping and location technology, has partnered with Honda Canada Inc. and the Broadcaster Traffic Consortium (BTC) to provide the first in-vehicle HD Traffic service in Canada. Honda is the first brand to offer the service to its customers, available currently on certain 2015 and 2016 Honda models. HERE HD Traffic allows drivers and passengers to view detailed information on local traffic conditions in real time on their vehicle’s audio display screen. HERE HD Traffic will be available in most areas within the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Vancouver, and Calgary, with the service expected to expand to additional Canadian markets in the future.

HD Radio technology operates on greater bandwidth, in contrast to the Radio Data System (RDS) standard, allowing more information to be transmitted to the vehicle display screen, such as weather reports and nearby fuel price information. HERE HD Traffic enables drivers to view this dynamic information without the vehicle being connected to a wireless network.

“We are pleased to be the first automotive manufacturer to offer HD Radio technology in Canada,” said Dave Gardner, senior vice president of operations, Honda Canada Inc. “We continue to add to our robust in-car technology offering like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and HERE Traffic Services in order to bring convenient features to Canadian consumers.”

HD Radio technology was created by the iBiquity Digital Corp. to transmit digital radio signals over the FM bandwidth. The BTC, comprised of 22 radio organizations across the United States and Canada, distributes local traffic and other map-related data via FM and HD Radio technology.

“HERE HD Traffic provides drivers in Canada with a valuable depth of information on current road conditions. Drivers in Canada will now for the first time receive localized traffic updates, weather forecasts and even fuel prices, through HD Radio technology,” said Tony Belkin, head of traffic and dynamic content at HERE. “HERE HD Traffic in Canada is further evidence of our constant efforts to make driving smarter, safer and more enjoyable.”

HERE HD Traffic is available in the United States, as well as Canada. HERE collects and updates traffic information every 60 seconds from a broad range of sources, including billions of speed probes taken from cars and mobile devices every day.

To learn more about HERE’s Traffic Services, visit this link.