Wisconsin's TrafficCast Inc. Makes Offshore Insourcing Agreement with Shanghai, China

Last week, during Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle's trade mission in China, TrafficCast, a Madison, Wis., based technology and software company, signed two major agreements with the city of Shanghai that will result in new investments worth tens of millions of dollars and will create dozens of new jobs in Wisconsin.

"This deal shows the tremendous potential for innovative Wisconsin companies to play a role as China is rapidly upgrading and modernizing its infrastructure," Doyle said. "This is a major coup for Wisconsin, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. China is growing at a pace and a scale that is unparalleled in history, and that means serious opportunities for Wisconsin companies to create new jobs."

"TrafficCast is honored to play a part in helping Shanghai manage its growth and development as a modern city," said Connie Li, chief operating officer of TrafficCast. "We are pleased that this investment will help us to create high-paying jobs in Wisconsin."

The Shanghai agreements entail building a prototype system to provide vehicle traffic information on Web sites, cell phones, PDAs, radio and television in Shanghai. The city of 20 million people has 1.6 million cars -- a number that is growing at 14 percent annually.

Li said that signing the agreements as part of a delegation led by a state governor helps give the company added status and credibility in China. She also said it would help the company as it seeks similar agreements with Beijing, Guangzhou and Tianjin, which along with Shanghai are the four largest cities in China.

TrafficCast produces real-time and predictive traffic databases and software. The company helps municipal governments manage traffic flows, and helps individual drivers to find the most direct route to their destination while avoiding traffic congestion.