Nissan, BTIC Launch Traffic Information-Based Car Navigation System in Beijing

24 July 2008

Star Wings navigation screen. Click to enlarge.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Beijing Transportation Information Center (BTIC) launched the first commercial application of the Star Wings project in Beijing. (Earlier post.) The new Nissan Teana sedan now offers the smart route-guidance navigation system as a standard feature on the 3.5L model and as an optional feature on the 2.5L model.

Jointly administered by BTIC, Nissan, Beijing University of Technology and Hiroshima University, the Star Wings project simulates traffic flow using information on drivers’ behaviors coupled with real-time traffic information for Beijing. With a 30% utilization rate of the navigation system, the average commute time could potentially decrease by up to 16% percent by navigating a route less congested, according to the modeling results.

Further, modeling demonstrated that a potential CO₂ reduction of up to 27% could be achieved when 30% of drivers use the system.

Nissan and BTIC began conducting tests on the ITS in Beijing in January 2007.

Nissan and BTIC reached the first important milestone of the STAR WINGS project with the commercialization of the new navigation system, and we aim to continue a productive and ongoing relationship for further development of the project with our partners in China.

—Shunichi Toyomasu, corporate vice president of Nissan

BTIC and Nissan plan to collaborate on the expansion of the navigation service to other cities in China and on future technology upgrades. Another collaborative effort includes research into a portable navigation device (PND) for consumers. PNDs fitted in 200 taxis will be used to monitor the usage of traffic information for a two-month period to better address customer needs. The PNDs also are scheduled to be provided to the staff vehicles of the Olympic Games.