GIS/ Mapping & Location Based Systems

To further improve Geographic Information System (GIS) data access over the Web, ESRI has updated its GIS Portal Toolkit for ArcGIS. The toolkit is a free technology and services solution for implementing local, regional, national and global Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) portals. The toolkit gives users a website starter and all the functional capabilities needed to deploy a GIS portal for an organisation's SDI.

The new release of PTV MapServer, based on COM, provides updated maps with toll tables and environmental zones which are taken into account during the routing process. The tool also includes new features for routing and logistical optimisation methods and allows users to easily embed digital maps, route calculation or other geo- functionalities.

Germany-headquartered PTV claims that the current version of map&guide professional sets new standards for green logistics and transports and provides a wide range of additional useful features.

UK-headquartered CATS-i (Covert Asset Tracking Systems for the internet) has announced the CATSi which, the company claims, uses the smallest and lowest-profile components available to create an extremely small and thin GPS, GSM and RF tracking product

Navteq has released its new Map and Positioning Engine (MPE) Development Platform, a complete evaluation toolkit to accelerate the development of map-enhanced fuel efficiency and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) applications that are linked through the vehicle CAN bus or even embedded in another sensor or electronic control unit.

Topcon Positioning Systems (TPS) has announced an addition to its offering of high-accuracy, mobile mapping solutions. The IP-S2 HD Mapping System is a vehicle-mounted surveying and mapping system featuring a high-definition LiDAR scanner from Velodyne Lidar.

Networkfleet has announced the availability of high-resolution satellite and hybrid maps in its flagship Networkfleet wireless fleet management system. The new mapping capability gives fleet managers the ability to observe vehicles in a real-world setting with 3D earth imagery. According to the company, this new functionality provides a more accurate and realistic depiction of a vehicle's location and its geographical surroundings.

Spain-headquartered TSS-Transport Simulation Systems has announced new developments in its Aimsun transport modelling software with the development of a hybrid simulator.

David Crawford investigates new detection analysis technology from IBM. Locations on both the East and West Coasts of the US are scheduled for early deployments of IBM's new Traffic Prediction Tool (TPT) statistical analysis model for the fine-time resolution and near-term prediction of road flow conditions. Developed by IBM's Watson Research Laboratories, TPT is designed to analyse data from the the key detection indicators - average vehicle volumes and speeds passing a location in a given time interval -

Adrian Greeman looks at developments in software visualisation packages. The capacity to make visualisations has been growing in importance over the last decade, and is now a well-accepted part of consultations and client presentations. But making high-quality images of projects is still a major undertaking and larger consultancies employ specialist departments to do so. Costs are coming down but it can still take a while, and some high-capacity hardware, to produce realistic renderings from drawings and 3D