Air Quality & Weather Systems

As the deck renewal of the I-91 viaduct in Springfield gets underway, David Crawford looks at the preparation and planning to ease the resulting traffic congestion. Accommodating the deck renewal of a 4km-long/four-lanes in each direction viaduct in the heart of Springfield (Massachusetts’ third largest city), has involved the state’s Department of Transportation (MassDOT) in a massive exercise in transport research and ITS-based area-wide preplanning and traffic management. Supporting a workzone of well ab

More than 40 partners and supporting organisations joined the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD for the launch of a major global initiative towards carbon-free transport. Transport activity currently contributes 23 per cent of global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels, with the share expected to rise, says the ITF. The Decarbonising Transport project aims to: Provide a common assessment tool based on a comprehensive modelling framework supported by dialogue with key stakeholders; Enable countr

FM Conway, the main contractor for the traffic management improvement scheme at the Port of Dover, has awarded Swarco the contract to install 15 variable message signs as part of a US$123 million (£85 million) capital investment programme to better manage and control vehicles through a new freight holding facility to remove more than 4km of queuing traffic from Kent’s highways. Two signs are used to direct heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) into Customs or the holding facility, depending on the quantity of tra

The City of Seattle, Washington, is to implement Siemens’ Concert, an integrated traffic management platform that connects both Siemens and third-party systems across the city including traffic control centres, intersection controllers and parking guidance systems. The Concert platform will integrate Siemens’ TACTICS traffic control system as well as the city’s existing dynamic message sign management system the local travel time system and the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) freeway sys

As part of its measures to reduce pollution in the city, the City of Madrid is to take delivery of 51 hybridised Scania Citywide buses in June. These feature cost-saving and emission-reducing hybrid technology that meets the EU suburban and short distance Class II regulations. Madrid recently enforced tough temporary measures to tackle pollution, including limiting speed limits and banning passenger car access to the city centre if nitrogen oxide levels exceed acceptable levels. In parallel, the Madrid t

Ordered to cut air pollution levels by Brussels, a group of EU cities are taking the European Commission to court over its decision to relax car emissions standards, making their objectives even less attainable, according to EurActiv France. The EU’s muddled position on air pollution has angered the bloc’s major cities. For Paris, Madrid and Copenhagen, the EU’s decision to give carmakers more freedom to pollute is unacceptable. But since it was discreetly added to the Official Journal of the European Unio

One year after its debut, Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) says its investment in wrong-way driving detection technology is proving to be very successful – none of the 47 wrong-way driving incidents where these systems have been installed has resulted in a wrong-way crash. Working with the Rhode Island State Police, RIDOT identified 24 high-risk locations for installing this technology at select ramps along I-95, I-195, Route 146, Route 10, Route 4, Route 6 and Routes 6/10 at Memorial Boule

SES America (SESA) recently completed the manufacture and installation of full colour LED dynamic Trailblazer signs for the Michigan Department of Transportation and is set to soon begin manufacturing of additional signs for the next phase of this ongoing work. The signs are part of integrated corridor management along I-75 designed by the Michigan Department of Transportation. Each sign is part of SESA’s Messenger 5000 embedded DMS series, a line of embedded DMS designed to display travel time, toll rate,

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has released its circular on Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 (TSRGD), which it says represents a significant contribution to the Government's deregulatory programme. TSRGD prescribes the designs and conditions of use for traffic signs, including road markings, traffic signals, pedestrian, cycle and equestrian crossings, to be lawfully placed on or near roads in England, Scotland and Wales.

The USDOT's ITS Professional Capacity Building program will host a free Talking Technology and Transportation Webinar, Adapting to Climate Change Using Intelligent Transportation Systems on Tuesday, 10 May from 1300 pm to 1430 pm EST. Within the national framework for addressing climate change, USDOT says ITS is an important strategy to meet the growing need for climate resiliency and adaption. ITS technology uses a variety of sensors to monitor the highway network such as traffic volume and speed detectors