Location Based Systems

InterCore Research Canada (IRC) is to pilot a program for the use of its driver alertness detection system (DADS) with 26 trucking companies in the US and Canada. It expects to add a further 44 companies to the pilot in the next few months. DADS is a real-time cloud based monitoring and warning system that can assist in preventing accidents caused by driver drowsiness, lack of alertness or distraction. Using the data collected by the DADS certified camera, the service helps drivers determine if they are

TomTom has extended its world coverage to 46 countries, with the launch of TomTom Traffic in Greece, Hungary and Slovakia. Traffic congestion levels in Greece are among the highest in Europe. In the Greek capital of Athens, an average commute takes 30 minutes longer during rush hour, according to TomTom Traffic data. In Budapest, commuting by car adds a 26 minute delay during rush hour, while the car industry in Slovakia grew in 2014 with an estimated 970,000 cars manufactured. Volkswagen, Kia and Peug

TomTom has announced a multi-year agreement with automobile manufacturer Volkswagen Group to bring its traffic service to their cars across Europe, beginning with Audi and Volkswagen. TomTom is a major supplier of traffic information, with one of the most extensive bases of real-time GPS probes in the world, detecting the actual traffic situation on all roads. According to the company, recent industry benchmarks and awards prove that TomTom Traffic covers more jams with fewer false alerts than its comp

Dutch Infrastructure and Environment Minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen, along with representatives of the European Commission, recently took part in test drive of truck platooning on the A28 in the Netherlands. The convoy consisted of three Scania R500 Streamline trucks; the steering was done by truck drivers, but speed and braking were controlled by the front truck using wi-fi technology. The plan is to have fully self driving trucks in the future. This method of coupled drive, based on adaptive cr

The first trial of driverless cars is launched today in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, London. The Greenwich Automated Transport Environment project (GATEway) is one of three projects chosen by the Government to deliver demonstrations of automated vehicles in urban environments. The trial officially gets underway at Greenwich Peninsula today, attended by Business Secretary Vince Cable and Transport Minister Claire Perry, who also officially launched a regulatory review and the UK Government’s ‘Intro

A new industry body is aiming to improve standards across British business fleets by establishing best practice in the use of fleet data. Fleet Data Insight brings together thought leaders from across the fleet industry, including both operators and suppliers, to share practical advice about using data to achieve operational excellence in fleet performance. Founded by TomTom Telematics, with partners Zurich, the FTA and the Energy Saving Trust, Fleet Data Insight will meet twice a year, using the coll

A new report, Traffic Safety on Bus Priority Systems, produced by Embarq with funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, argues the case that investment in high quality public transport systems in developing world cities can help achieve significant traffic safety benefits, while meeting the growing mobility needs of city residents. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), over 1.2 million people die on the world’s roads each year, and traffic crashes could become the fifth leading cause of death by

The webinar on 6 February from 1400-1500 CET, From Advanced Active Safety Systems to Automated Systems: From interactIVe to AdaptIVe and beyond focuses on the evolution from driver assistance systems to automated driving. This is based mainly on two large scale EU integrated projects: interactIVe and AdaptIVe. The webinar will discuss the interactIVe project, its objectives, main outcomes and lessons learned and provide an overview of the objectives and vision of automated driving functions that will be

On 30 January, security loopholes in BMW vehicles equipped with connected drive technologies were revealed. Believed to affect 2.2 million BMW vehicles worldwide, these flaws in the software allow thieves to unlock doors and track car data through a mobile phone without leaving a trace. The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has long advocated for secure, open networks for vehicle connectivity. Vehicle manufacturers have argued that only closed networks can be truly secure. In fact, the loop

TomTom has updated its global maps, increasing coverage and improving features for all business customers. TomTom’s global map database now covers over 44 million kilometres and 4.2 billion people worldwide, and features full navigable coverage for 126 countries. Global map enhancements include the launch of navigable, turn-by-turn maps for Albania and Senegal and the debut of pedestrian maps for Berlin, London, New York, San Francisco, and Toronto featuring pedestrian-specific geometry, such as footp