Air Quality & Weather Systems

Reducing congestion with Tomtom's historical traffic data

December 5, 2012

Historical traffic data provided by TomTom is being used by the local government in Spain’s Basque region to reduce road congestion at less cost. Old habits die hard. Photos from as far back as the 1930s show people counting cars by the roadside in order to provide congestion data to those running road networks. Today, such techniques are still used, albeit augmented by a range of automation technologies such as inductive loops, infra-red sensors and number plate recognition. Even with these advances, howe

Garmin and Inrix team up to offer faster 3D traffic services

December 4, 2012

Satellite navigation provider Garmin is teaming up with Inrix, a leading company in the field of traffic intelligence technology, to provide up-to-the-minute traffic information across the DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) network. By leveraging the latest breakthroughs in DAB technology, INRIX will help Garmin deliver better, more detailed live traffic data, updated more frequently and without an internet connection. Garmin says this new generation of “Garmin 3D Traffic Live” will provide their customers acce

Georgia DOT upgrades

December 3, 2012

Georgia’s Department of Transportation’s has upgraded its Advanced Traffic Management System in response to increased traffic density and demands on its transportation infrastructure. New Jersey based-Activu has installed state-of-the-art video wall displays and intelligent network-based visualisation software that integrates with 1,645 video detection cameras, 500 full-colour closed-circuit television cameras, its NaviGAtor II and 511 systems, changeable message signs, Navigator website, and smartphone app

Next-generation cloud-based traffic control

December 3, 2012

Supplier of in radar speed displays and variable message signs, All Traffic Solutions, has selected ThingWorx to support advanced application development for its SmartApps web-based traffic control suite. All Traffic’s cloud-based SmartApps suite allows law enforcement organisations, as well as state and local agencies, to remotely monitor, manage, and interact with traffic safety signs using a web-based application and virtual map. To support increased customer demand for new features and an overall increa

Freeway management for Sydney’s M4

December 3, 2012

In a bid to improve Sydney’s roads and congestion, Australia’s Federal and New South Wales governments are to jointly fund a project to equip the full length of the state’s M4 motorway with technology to improve traffic flows and ease congestion along this vital part of Sydney’s road network.The US$17 million project will provide the M4 with an electronic freeway management system consisting of variable speed and message signs, entry ramp signalling, CCTV and digital traveller information signs. Transport m

First nationwide traffic information service for Austria

November 27, 2012

The vision of Austria’s transport experts of implementing a comprehensive integrated transport network is about to become a reality with Traffic Information Austria (VAO). Launched at the ITS World Congress, VAO is scheduled to go live in late spring 2013, using technology provided by software companies PTV Group and Haco, in partnership with Austrian motorway operator ASFINAG, the Austrian transport association organisers ARGE ÖVV, ITS Vienna Region, ÖAMTC, Ö3 traffic editorial staff, the City of Graz, th

Promoting wider access to latest generation VMS

November 22, 2012

Derbyshire based Mobile Visual Information Systems (MVIS) and Safety Vehicle Hire and Lease (SVHL) from Leicestershire have joined forces in a deal that they say will not only enable wider market access to the latest generation of variable message signs (VMS), but which they hope will also promote the case for legislative evolution facilitating the greater efficiency of the UK’s road network. MVIS supplies mobile and solar powered monitoring and visual information systems, including VMS, to the traffic mana

Bus transport in Mysore becomes 'intelligent'

November 20, 2012

Travelling in some Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses in Mysore, India, will now be hassle-free, thanks to the launch of what is said to be India's first Intelligent Transport System (ITS). The system will enable passengers across the city to have the arrival and departure of buses at their fingertips. It will cut down passenger waiting time provide details of bus movements either by sending an SMS or through the interactive voice response system (IVRS).

Crowd-sourced data feed enhances traffic monitoring

November 20, 2012

In the US, NaviGAtor 511, Georgia’s traveller information system, has partnered with Waze to provide enhanced traffic information. Waze, a crowd-sourced social GPS and real-time traffic application for smartphones and Android phones, will provide enhanced traffic data to the current 511 system, and create a special 511 user group, specifically for Georgia travelers, within the existing Waze mobile app. The arrangement was provided for under an existing marketing contract with Iteris, the firm that has opera

Port authority to replace ITS system at George Washington bridge

November 16, 2012

The Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) at the George Washington Bridge (GWB), first installed in 1997, is to be replaced by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as part of a road improvements being planned throughout the region. The ITS provides information on traffic conditions, estimated travel times, and lane restrictions to motorists via electronic signs on roads leading to the GWB. An estimated 101 million vehicles crossed the world’s busiest crossing in both directions in 2011. Work on t