Abertis Infraestructuras : , the first partner in the Waze Connected Citizens Program that spans 7 different countries

• This two-way data share partnership will allow complementing real time traffic information that drivers update in the Waze app, with the data collected at the Abertis' operations centres in 7 countries.
• This collaboration is part of the global Road Safety program of the Abertis Group, which aims to reduce the number of victims on the roads.

Abertis has signed a worldwide agreement to join the Connected Citizens Program through Waze, the trailblazing community-based traffic and navigation app, which offers traffic information free of charge in real time, fed by the largest community of drivers in the world. Abertis thus becomes the first company to join the program that spans 7 countries: Spain, France, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Puerto Rico.

Waze's Connected Citizens Program, with more than 250 partners in the world, brings together public and private entities worldwide to accumulate traffic information in real time in order to ease congestion, enable drivers to make better decisions and improve road safety. The two-way data share partnership will enable both users of the Waze application and the Abertis Group's concessionaires to supply and receive traffic information via the app and other means.

A 'win-win' relationship

Abertis' addition into Waze's Connected Citizens Program marks the start of a relationship that is beneficial for both parties.

Abertis will use the app as a sensor to analyse traffic in real time and as a further channel for communication with its customers. The company will receive anonymous information in real time directly from the source: drivers.

In turn, the users of the app will receive the latest updates from the Abertis Group's operations centres in every business unit along with information about scheduled road works and closures, incidents and other major traffic events that may affect journeys.

The Waze map evolves with every driver and data point it receives, promoting safer roads and sharing more knowledge with Wazers about potential delays to their commutes. The Connected Citizens program yields even more data, giving drivers a greater ability to circumvent road closures or other events within the app.

The agreement has a long-term vocation and it is expected that, as a result of this collaboration, new products and services of the app may be created.

Commitment to road safety

The partnership with Waze provides a new channel for the delivery of up-to-date information to customers on the Abertis Group's toll roads, enabling them to drive more safely and efficiently. The agreement is part of the Group's Global Road Safety program, the aim of which is to reduce the number of road accident victims.

'Road Safety is a priority of Abertis and this agreement, which is committed to 7 subsidiaries of the Group, is an example of this. The advances in our global Road Safety program, with the reduction of the number of victims by 24% between 2013 and 2016, encourage us to continue to expand collaborations with entities that share our concern for this global problem', says Francisco Reynés, Vice Chairman and CEO of Abertis.

The Group can draw on more than 50 years of know-how and experience in this field, and concentrates its efforts on keeping its roads in optimum condition. Abertis has a team of seasoned professionals who strive to ensure that drivers enjoy a safe journey, carrying out patrols and traffic controls and providing comprehensive information.

'Waze is dedicated to providing our community with the best driving experience possible, which is why we're thrilled to add Abertis into our Connected Citizens Program as our first partner to span seven countries,' said Adam Fried, Head of Global Partnerships at Waze.

In 2016 Abertis also joined Together for Safer Roads, an innovative global coalition of leading private companies in their respective sectors seeking to identify and scale best practices on road safety and reduce the number of deaths and injuries due to road traffic accidents. This initiative was formally launched to align the private sector's road safety efforts with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

In addition, the Abertis Group works in tandem with many public and private institutions to design, develop and finance road safety education and awareness programs, which reflect the needs of every region and are focused on the most vulnerable road users (young people, senior citizens and disabled people). Through its network of academic chairs Abertis funds road safety research in six leading universities around the world and stages the Abertis Chairs International Awards.

Between 2013 and 2016, the number of accidents on Abertis' network fell by 12% and the number of victims by 24%.

About Waze

Waze is the social navigation pioneer, leveraging mobile technology and a passionate global community to redefine expectations of today's maps. Waze is home to the world's largest network of drivers who work together daily to outsmart traffic and save time and money. The app consistently recommends the fastest routes based on real-time driving and data from millions of users. From traffic reroutes to low gas price alerts and relevant offers from favourite brands, Waze is one of the most comprehensive driving companions in the marketplace.