Air Quality & Weather Systems

Earthquake sensors, automatic barriers and real time monitoring systems are all part of a scheme to make a major Seattle traffic artery safer, by taking it underground. Huw Williams reports. Seattle’s metropolitan area of 3.5 million people, like much of the western seaboard of the United States, lies in an earthquake zone. In Seattle’s case, the city and its hinterland sit atop a complex network of interrelated active geological faults capable of severe seismic activity and posing complex considerations fo

A US pooled fund study group has developed a system of software aimed at taking the concept of winter maintenance decision support to a new level – a scientific ‘one-stop-shop’ of weather and service performance data. This report is by Charles Chambers and Benjamin Hershey. With advancements in environmental technology come new systems that assist agencies with better management of winter roadway maintenance resources. In the late 1990s the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) began work developing a pr

Toyota is to equip all of their Toyota Land Cruiser V8, Grand Prius+ Lounge version, Prius Solar Premium version cars sold in Belgium with traffic information for their in-car systems on DAB, powered by provider of traffic and mobility information, be-mobile, and using the RTBF DAB network in French-speaking Belgium and the VRT DAB network in Flanders. The company says DAB represents a major industry advancement for real time traffic information; larger traffic data volumes can be processed which in turn en

US technology service provider, Drivewyze, is to supply its PreClear bypass service at four mobile inspection sites in key locations throughout Rhode Island. PreClear enables commercial vehicles to bypass weigh stations and temporary mobile inspection sites buy leveraging cellular networks and the internet to provide smartphones, tablet and select electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs) with transponder-like functionality. The company says that, unlike other bypass programs, the cost-effective Drivewyze PreCl

Slough Borough Council (SBC) in the UK has joined the growing number of UK local authorities to deploy the latest version of Comet, Siemens’ traffic management and information system. Comet will enable SBC to meet its policy, operational and travel information requirements including the ability to set network strategies. The solution will provide a command and control system for strategic variable message signs (VMS) and car park guidance and will also provide dynamic content to SBC’s planned internet and

French company Diginext has received an order from Lille urban transport operator, Transpole, for its MobilitX multimodal traveller information system to be installed in Lille Central Station. The MobilitX system is modular and based on the latest European standards for interoperability. It will integrate real time information from buses, trams and metro trains, as well as the park and ride system and other traffic systems in the city, to provide comprehensive travel information for all passengers, regardl

The EU is launching a new plan, Research and Innovation for Europe’s Future Mobility, that aims to develop a long-term policy strategy that among other goals, is to reduce road casualties to almost zero and greenhouse gas emission from the transport sector by 60 per cent in 2050. The plan doesn’t propose any new EU funding or regulations but instead proposes an initiative to meet with Member States and other relevant stakeholder to discuss policy priorities and objectives. Speaking about the plan, Vice Pres

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) 14th annual “Roadway Work Zone Safety Awareness Awards” has recognised ten public and private organisations for their commitment to promoting safety. The competition recognises outstanding programs, campaigns and technologies aimed at helping reduce roadway work zone accidents, injuries and fatalities. Winners were announced in three categories: Outreach Campaigns, recognises efforts that promote roa

After a seven-month delay, the members of the Slovak Parliament approved the new bill on the intelligent transport systems in road traffic effective from 15 October 2012, which brings Slovakia in line with the EU framework on establishment of such transport systems from July 2010. As part of the legislation, the National Transport Information System (NSDI), which is expected to cost up to US$195.87 million, will be created to collect, process and share road transport information according to the EU regulati

Ontario-headquartered Pelmorex Media, parent company of The Weather Network and MétéoMédia, has acquired Beat The Traffic, Californian provider of vehicle traffic reporting solutions for broadcast media and consumers. The acquisition gives Pelmorex Media a significant boost to its expertise in traveller information and access to technology and patents that will enhance the services that will be provided by Travelers Network, to be launched in late October. Travelers Network will be established as its own d