Entering your destination into a navigation app and getting directions in real time, looking up nearby places to eat, getting items delivered to your doorstep — these activities are now second nature to you. You do them mindlessly, without even thinking about it. But up until only 25 years ago, this technology was nowhere near as accurate as it is today.

After months of data collection, it’s clear: New York City’s congestion pricing is working. TomTom data shows downtown Manhattan has witnessed a notable decrease in traffic and congestion, and a drop in travel times. The amount of time drivers spend in rush hour is down, and average speeds are up.

Cities are alive. They are the beating hearts of society, centers of culture, commerce and connection, and yet, we are failing to strengthen their pulse. As urban areas grow, so do their challenges: congestion, pollution, inefficiency, stress, and the broader issues of mobility, efficiency and sustainability. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

The world of geospatial technology is forever changing. With every passing year there are new technologies, techniques, ideas and applications that push the industry forward. Not to mention how much our world is changing too. Keeping ahead of the curve and on top of it all is no mean feat, but Chantal Govender stands out and proves that it’s possible.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are everywhere right now. In some cases, they’re just buzzwords, in other cases, AI is making a tangible difference to processes, workflows and productivity — making maps is one such area. In fact, the use of AI, computer vision and machine learning has been growing in TomTom steadily over the past decade. Here’s Laurens Feenstra, TomTom VP of Product, to tell us more.

The amount of data going into an ever-growing global map that updates to reflect real-world changes is hard to fathom. Yet for Marco Pfrang, such complex datasets are exactly what he likes to work with. He’s made an impact with data and analytics at ING, Adevinta and Google. Now, Marco is playing a pivotal role in the future of mapping as Director of Product Management at TomTom. We talked to him to hear his story and find out what excites him about his journey ahead.

Delivery drivers don’t stick to their pre-defined stop sequence when their navigation tools don’t include traffic data at the early planning stage, because they often must navigate unexpected hold ups and challenging road conditions. Clemens Beckmann founder of Greenplan, now part of EPG, set out to solve this, with the help of TomTom traffic.

Road safety is a critical global issue, impacting millions of lives through fatalities and injuries. Fortunately, many of these incidents are preventable. At TomTom, we utilize data-driven risk assessment, expert insights and advanced location intelligence to assist governments and road authorities in identifying high-risk areas and implementing proactive safety measures. By integrating real-time traffic insights with AI-driven models, we strive to make safer roads the norm rather than stand out exceptions.