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Air Quality & Weather Systems

EU rolls out intelligent information services
May 16, 2013
The European Commission has adopted two regulations to promote the roll-out of intelligent information services, such as real-time warnings about dangerous road conditions ahead and information on safe and secure parking places for truck drivers. They can be provided through different means such as variable road signs, the radio and mobile phone applications. The Commission wants these information services to be interoperable and compatible across Europe, and available to as many drivers as possible along t
Schneider Electric implements smart city technology in Quito
May 15, 2013
Schneider Electrics is to implement its smart mobility management platform in Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. The contract, part of the range of initiatives being developed in the city, was awarded by the Metropolitan Public Mobility and Public Works Company (EPMMOP) and will provide integrated management and coordination of the city’s mobility. Schneider Electric’s SmartMobility ICM platform will allow municipal agents to coordinate the management of the city traffic, video surveillance system, and travell
Intelligent Transport System for Australia's Monash Freeway
May 14, 2013
Sluggish peak-hour traffic on Melbourne's busiest road, the Monash Freeway, will flow about 20 km/h faster when new technology is introduced, thanks to a US$78.2 million cash injection from the Australian Government to help improve traffic flow, with the money to go towards installing and upgrading intelligent transport systems on a 34.5-kilometre stretch of the road in Melbourne's east. The commitment is intended to be matched by the Victorian government and will go towards technology such as variable spee
VDOT to get world-class transportation operations centre
May 8, 2013
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has issued a Notice of Intent to Award to Serco to integrate and run the state’s five transportation management centres under a six-year, US$355 million contract. The Commonwealth Transportation Board will make the final decision at its June meeting. The project will operate all five centres, including managing the Safety Service Patrol, under a single advanced active traffic management system platform, providing greater consistency and efficiency and enabli
ODOT plans ‘smarter highway’
May 2, 2013
Until they can raise the US$1 billion it would take to expand congestion-plagued Oregon 217, state traffic planners say they'll focus on making it a smarter highway. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) engineers believe that a US$6.5 million artificial traffic intelligence project planned for the 217 corridor will permanently alter the Portland metro area's daily commuting culture. The interconnected system will rely on new underground sensors and advanced computer algorithms. The federal government
Hyderabad set to get live traffic updates
April 25, 2013
Motorists in the Indian city of Hyderabad are to get live traffic updates and information on the fastest route, which will be displayed on digital variable message signs (VMS) to be installed at twenty locations in the city and due to be operational by August. The VMS are being installed under the Hyderabad Traffic Integrated Management System (HTRIMS); live traffic information will be relayed from the traffic control centre and will display information on traffic diversions, congestion and incidents.
US 511 system, the future of traveller information?
April 23, 2013
What started out at the turn of the millenium as a simple dial-up travel information service has grown out of all recognition in the digital age. Pete Goldin surveys the development to date of the US 511 traveller information system. In a little over a decade, 511 has gone from its original intent – a collection of recorded messages accessible via phone for pre-trip planning – to a network of dynamic traveller information services provided by states and cities throughout the US, offering access to a wide v
Daktronics delivers high resolution full-colour DMS
April 22, 2013
As transportation agencies across the US continue to search for methods to communicate the latest traveller information to motorists, variable message sign supplier Daktronics has expanded its range of DMS to include high resolution full-colour technology. The company’s latest Vanguard 20mm full-colour DMS are available in the VF-2020 walk-in and the VF-2420 front access DMS, as well as the new VX-2420 and VX-2428 models which provide dynamic content control for individual lane management with the added ben
Siemens demonstrates the future of traffic management
April 17, 2013
On show for the first time at Traffex 2013 is Siemens’ Stratos, which the company says demonstrates the future of traffic management. Developed using the latest cloud-based technology, Stratos delivers scalable real-time traffic management, information and control; from basic monitoring to strategic control of complex urban traffic environments. According to Mark Bodger, product manager, Stratos is the latest generation of traffic management, information and control systems from Siemens and the most effect
Active traffic management - challenges and benefits
April 12, 2013
Minnesota DoT has built one of the most intensive Active Traffic Management (ATM) systems on the road today. Like many ITS deployments, the state has gained benefits but also faces many challenges, as Pete Goldin reports. Smart Lanes is the brand name of Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDoT) ATM system on I-35W in the Twin Cities Metro Area. The original system covered 16 miles of I-35W south of Minneapolis starting in 2009, and was extended by two miles in 2011. Additional ATM equipment was inst