Ford is investing an additional US$4.5 billion in electrified vehicle solutions, adding 13 new electrified vehicles to its portfolio by 2020, when more than 40 per cent of the company’s global brands will come in electrified versions. This represents Ford’s largest-ever electrified vehicle investment in a five-year period.
On the way next year is a new Focus Electric, which features all-new DC fast-charge capability delivering an 80 percent charge in an estimated 30 minutes and projected 100-mile range
David Crawford reviews developments in temporary ITS. Widespread take-up of technologies such as Bluetooth and wi-fi are encouraging the emergence of more sophisticated, while still cost effective, ITS responses to the traffic issues posed by temporary road situations such as work zones and special events. Andy Graham of traffic solutions specialists White Willow Consulting says: “A machine-to-machine radio link is far easier and cheaper than reading characters on a plate.” There can be other plusses. Tech
Connectivity was a major theme of the ITS America Conference & Expo opening plenary in Phoenix, AZ. First, Native American Tony Duncan (above) used a hoop dance to create images and shapes to reflect our own connections in the circle of life. Then, the heads of half a dozen US departments of transportation reflected on the importance of cooperation in finding answers to pressing problems such as US road deaths.
