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Location Based Systems

Dutch ministers plan large-scale road testing of self-driving cars
June 18, 2014
Self-driving cars could appear on Dutch roads before long as the government is preparing regulations that will make large-scale public testing legal. According to Minister for Infrastructure and the Environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen who made the proposal, the age of self-driving cars has arrived and she wants the country to be ready to play a leading international role in the innovation: “Self-driving cars will make a positive contribution to the flow of traffic and to the safety of our busy road ne
iMobility Challenge showcases intelligent vehicles at ITS congress in Helsinki
June 17, 2014
The iMobility Challenge presented intelligent vehicle systems to policy makers, ITS professionals and the general public in Helsinki during the European ITS Congress. The highlight of the day was the participation of the Formula One driver, Valtteri Bottas, in an eco-driving competition. The competition evaluated a short drive in Helsinki by the F1 driver giving him a ‘smart’ driving score, thanks to an on-board device monitoring the energy-efficiency of his driving style. Visitors then had the chance to
EV inductive charging set to gain traction
June 13, 2014
New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of Inductive Charging for Global Electric Vehicles (EV) Market, finds that the total market for inductive charging is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 126.6 per cent from 2012 to 2020, with approximately 351,900 units likely to be sold. Inductive charging will account for 1.2 per cent of both public and residential charging in North America and more than 2.6 per cent in Europe. Residential charging will be the most popular method,
Michelin to acquire Sascar
June 9, 2014
In a deal valued at a total of US$709 million, Michelin has announced its intention to acquire all outstanding shares of Sascar, the leading Brazilian digital fleet management and freight security company. The acquisition will enable Michelin to expand its service offering for truckers and to speed the growth of its truck tyre business in Brazil, while Sascar will gain access to Michelin’s major customers in South America. of this company, whose business model has proved its worth in Brazil (33,000 f
Russia ‘hopes to agree with US on GLONASS, GPS stations’
June 9, 2014
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin hopes Russia and the United States will agree on deployment of GLONASS and GPS stations before 1 September. Cooperation with the United States in the area of navigation should continue despite problems, Rogozin said. "Despite some difficulties we have with the United States, we believe it is necessary to continue cooperation," the deputy prime minister stressed. Russia has recently made a statement that cooperation in the navigation area should be formed on
CCTV technology aids fight against UK insurance fraud
June 9, 2014
An increasing number of UK commercial fleets are turning to in-vehicle technology for protection against the sharp rise of insurance fraud, according to CCTV vehicle company, Vision Unique Equipment (VUE). Latest figures from the Association of British Insurers reveal insurance fraud is at a record high, reaching US$2.18 billion in 2013, with US$1.3 billion of fraudulent claims attributed to car insurance. ‘Crash for cash’ car insurance scams were identified as the main contributor to a 34 per cent rise
GIS mapping of road-related assets can pay dividends
June 6, 2014
Map-based computerised road asset management can pay dividends as Colin Sowman discovers.
Euromed countries warm to Galileo’s services
June 6, 2014
The EU is helping countries in North Africa and the Middle East utilise Galileo’s services. With its Galileo constellation rapidly taking shape, the European Union has opened lines of communication with countries in North Africa and the Middle East with a view to assisting their governments and businesses to utilise the satellite services that extend across the Mediterranean. The services available to countries are provided through the European Global Navigational Satellite System (E-GNSS), which includes a
TRW showcases driver assist systems
June 5, 2014
TRW Automotive demonstrated its driver assist systems (DAS) and outlined expected trends in sensor technologies during the company's recent bi-annual Ride and Drive event at the Hockenheimring in Germany. According to Andrew Whydell, TRW Electronics’ director of product planning, DAS has and will continue to be a focal point for the automotive industry as governments and industry bodies strive to reduce road fatalities worldwide. For example, the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) and the Ins
Crash prevention systems improving rapidly says IIHS
June 2, 2014
According to its latest report, less than a year into a new Insurance |Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings program for front crash prevention, auto manufacturers are making strides in adopting the most beneficial systems with automatic braking capabilities and are offering the features on a wider variety of models. Twenty-one of 24 cars and SUVs, all 2014 models unless noted, earn an advanced or higher rating in the latest round of IIHS evaluations. "We are already seeing improvements from automaker