NAVTEQ's Map Reporter

Directions Magazine asked NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas questions about the companies' websites that allow consumers to suggest basemap updates. The responses below are about NAVTEQ's Map Reporter. Tele Atlas chose not to provide answers to these questions.

Directions Magazine (DM): What exactly happens to a correction/update submission put into Map Reporter?

NAVTEQ: Reports can be handled automatically, internally or via field verification. This is a function of the data contained within the report and its timeliness (example: sometimes a report may have already been submitted for a given geography; in such a case it would be processed automatically). Reports identifying a legitimate map database discrepancy are investigated and corrected in the NAVTEQ database.

DM: What percentage of submissions have already been updated when received?

NAVTEQ: Of new submissions, 34% have already been updated or no change is required in the database.

DM: How many submissions do you receive (per month, per year)?

NAVTEQ: We average 15,000 submissions per month, or approximately 200,000 in 2007 (the number has grown exponentially each month since we introduced Map Reporter).

DM: How does this compare with change requests from partners, corporate users, your own staff (in car or reviewing maps)?

NAVTEQ: All submissions, whether from customers, corporate users or our own staff, are now reported over Map Reporter. We do not track "submitter information" in the categories specified.

DM: What sort of reply do submitters receive? How are their actions acknowledged?

NAVTEQ: People who submit get an automatic emailed response as soon as they send their report. We make every effort to resolve all report issues within 90 days. If a report submission requires a database change, the submitter is auto-notified that the requested change has been completed.

DM: Are there submitters who submit regularly ("all stars")? Do they receive special recognition as they might on other volunteer sites (such as help forums, etc.)?

NAVTEQ: Yes, there are people who send in reports regularly. We are evaluating the volume, types and validity of the reports we are receiving to determine what, if any, promotion the system requires.

DM: Is each individual submission reviewed or is it used in conjunction with others to highlight areas to explore?

NAVTEQ: Each individual submission is reviewed on its own merits. It is possible that multiple submissions covering a similar geography might be grouped together, but only after initial individual analysis.

DM: How much money do you think you save by relying on contributed corrections?

NAVTEQ: Map Reporter is about the accuracy of our map data, not about financial savings. Our map report system is a very efficient tool that enables us to ensure clear and timely communication with the people who use our maps.

DM: Has the Map Reporter program allowed you to alter your update/correction process such that the frequency of updates in a certain area can be more efficiently performed given more reliable information that may be available?

NAVTEQ: The Map Reporter system certainly does provide for greater efficiency overall. (An example: we can now incorporate reports for resolution into our field teams' drives because the Map Reporter system and our WIN GWS field collection tool "talk" to each other.)

DM: What can you say about the future of this program? How will you promote it so that it is a self-sustaining program?

NAVTEQ: We think of community generated feedback as one input to maintaining our digital map database. At this early stage, we are evaluating the volume, types and validity of the reports we are receiving to determine what, if any, promotion the system requires.