WSI Teams with INRIX for Real-Time Traffic Information and Mobile Apps

LAS VEGAS, April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — 2014 National Association of Broadcasters Show (NAB) — On the heels of one of the worst winters in history, WSI, Professional Division of The Weather Company announces it has selected INRIX for real-time traffic information and mobile apps for its affiliate stations in North America.
“The quality of INRIX information is critical to our efforts to drive viewership for two of the most watched parts of the daily newscast – traffic and weather,” said Mark Gildersleeve, president of WSI. “We’re also looking forward to providing our affiliates with the ability to provide this same information to viewers who increasingly consume their news on the go with Max Traffic Mobile.”
More than 80 stations in the U.S. and Canada immediately benefit from INRIX real-time traffic information offering viewers up to the minute insight into current traffic conditions and travel times as well as crashes and other traffic-causing delays. WSI also is introducing Max Traffic Mobile — a white label app, powered by INRIX, for iPhone and Android-based smartphones that provides the following benefits to WSI affiliates:
• Increase brand loyalty providing viewers with access to up-to-the minute traffic information including real-time traffic maps, crash and incident reports as well as the best routes and expected travel times to home and work from their current location
• The ability to leverage community traffic reports within the app to alert viewers on breaking traffic news events
• Deliver customized local and national news feeds directly to loyal viewers when they’re on the go
• Drive new revenue streams through in-app advertising
INRIX Vice President of Product and Market Development Scott Sedlik views today’s announcement as just the beginning. He sees an even bigger opportunity for collaboration.
“Whether it’s on a local newscast, someone’s smartphone or in their car, we’re exploring new ways to bring traffic and weather together to provide even greater insight to travelers,” said Sedlik. “Stay tuned.”
INRIX uniquely analyzes real-time data from a wide variety of public and private traffic sources ranging from road sensors and up-to-the-minute traffic speeds crowd-sourced from millions of vehicles and mobile devices throughout the day. This real-time data covers more roads with greater precision giving drivers’ detailed insight into traffic speeds, travel times, crashes and other incidents.
Broadcasters can learn more about INRIX, Max Traffic and Max Traffic Mobile at the WSI booth #SL6610, South Hall Lower, at the 2014 NAB Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, April 7-10.
About WSI Corporation
WSI is the most trusted source of weather information across the globe. WSI is recognized as the world’s leading source of professional on-air weather systems and forecasting tools for television. More of America’s leading broadcasting and cable companies choose WSI than any other weather provider.
WSI is the Professional Division of The Weather Company and is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts with offices in Madison, Wisconsin and Birmingham, England. The Weather Company is owned by a consortium made up of NBC Universal and the private equity firms The Blackstone Group and Bain Capital. More information about WSI can be found at www.wsi.com.