SEATTLE, Wash., April 1, 1999 (PRIMEZONE) -- Sonic Systems Corporation of Delaware (NASDAQ: ZSON) announced today that it has signed a joint agreement with Safetran Traffic Systems, Inc., the traffic industry's largest manufacturer of Caltrans 170 style traffic controllers, to develop a wireless IP (Internet Protocol) communication card that will allow for wireless communication with traffic intersections and other control elements including remote signs and sensors.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sonic Systems will design, engineer, and manufacture the card to be compatible with the existing Caltrans 170 standard as well as the new generation of Advanced Traffic Controllers. Safetran, in addition to collaborating on design specifications and market data, will be the exclusive distributor of the card for the Caltrans 170 style and the new Advanced Traffic Controller segments within North America.
"We are very excited to be working with a partner like Safetran," says Bill Brogdon, CEO of Sonic Systems. "Their years of experience in the traffic control market combined with our deep understanding of the wireless IP environment should produce a winning product well-suited to the needs of our customers." Two of Sonic's senior executives, Gary A. Roshak (CTO) and Peter R. McConnell (Chief Engineer), were key leaders in the development of the CDPD Specification and helped establish the wireless data industry in North America.
"Safetran is always looking for ways to improve the products and services we offer to our customers," says Darrell Emery, CEO of Safetran. "We are pleased to be working with Sonic and their team of engineers to produce an easy and effective tool that will allow wireless Internet access to our current and future traffic control products."
The card will be designed to solve the communications and timing issues associated with the existing base of unwired controllers. It will also make all new controllers immediately accessible without the disruption, delay, and expense of hardwire connections. Product availability is expected in the third quarter of 1999.
Safetran Traffic Systems, Inc., located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is the leading manufacturer of 170 Control Equipment, serving both domestic and international transportation departments.
Sonic Systems Corporation of Delaware is a multi-faceted provider of technology to the Computing, Communications, and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industries in support of information movement and management applications.