Networking & Communication Systems

Wireless communications provider u-blox has announced strong top and bottom line growth in its financial report for 2013. Consolidated revenue US$249 million, a growth of 27.0 per cent compared to 2012; gross profit improved from US$92 million to US$1.2 million, with a continued good profit margin of 36 per cent; operating profit (EBIT) increased from US$25.99 million to US$34.1 million, a growth of 30.9 per cent compared to 2012; net profit increased by 44.3 per cent from US$19.3 million to US$27.8 mill

Abu Dhabi Department of Transport has completed a US$2.45 million system that will provide real-time information on traffic congestion, route guidance and other conditions via smartphones, the internet and navigation devices in cars. The Integrated Transport Information and Navigation System (i-TINS) collects real-time data from different sources – road side systems such as traffic counting systems and travel time measurement systems and central sub-systems such as taxi and bus GPS-based tracking systems

In the wake of the European Parliament’s approval of the mandatory installation of automatic emergency phones in all cars and vans by 2015, the Irish Times says Ireland’s National Roads Authority (NRA) is to deploy a range of intelligent transport systems to improve travel times, warn drivers of weather, dangers and delays ahead and automatically notify emergency services in the event of crashes or even the potential for crashes. The NRA has developed a motorway traffic control centre, based at the Dubli

Fibre optic cables will be built into new Mexican highways in order to install intelligent transport systems and closed circuit television monitoring, according to transport and communications (SCT) minister Gerardo Ruiz. The fibre optic cables will allow for the "latest generation technology such as intelligent transport systems," security monitoring such as cameras and radars as well as electronic weighing systems to ensure that trucks using the highways comply with weight regulations. "Not all high

In a pilot project, Deutsche Telekom is to integrate a number of parking spaces within a sensor-based parking management system in Piazza Carrara in the historic centre of Pisa, Italy, just a few hundred metres from the town's landmark, the Leaning Tower. Sensors in the parking area will provide information on available parking spaces and forward this to a mobile app on the driver’s smartphone. Drivers can also pay parking fees via their smartphone. The cooperation also includes a big data service, w

In an effort to reduce the high number of accidents on India's first six-lane, high-speed, access controlled tolled expressway, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has decided to install a surveillance system involving speed cameras and digital message signs. According to a tender notice issued by the MSRDC, a total of 84 high-speed cameras will be installed at seven locations on the 93 kilometre road. The GPRS-based system will also record details such as the vehicle’s registrati

Almost 1,000 highway deaths in Illinois in 2013 and some of the worst interstate traffic congestion in the country has prompted the state to launch a US$45 million trial to investigate whether a blend of technologies can make smarter highways which are safer for drivers and less prone to congestion. Traffic engineers are focusing initially on the Edens Expressway and the northern stretch of US Highway 41 and will begin incorporating a mix of existing and new technology during the next two years, an under

Essential road resurfacing works in Melbourne, Australia, led to the closing of two major tunnels for five days over the Christmas period. Despite predictions of major congestion, extensive planning and the use of BlipTrack Bluetooth and wi-fi sensors at key locations, delays were minimised. Installed by BlipTrack’s Australian partner, Austraffic, the sensors provided VicRoads highway department with data to assess how a diversion route was operating and to compare journey times with previous days or

Cyclists using a busy intersection in Bournemouth, UK, are benefiting from an in-road cycle detection solution installed at the traffic signals. The intersection joins a major route into the city centre and experiences high traffic flows throughout the day. A designated cycle lane was installed along with an advanced stop line and an M100BR bicycle detection system supplied by Clearview Traffic. The M100BR works in conjunction with the traffic signals to detect cyclists approaching the junction. When a

An expanded portfolio and increased development over the past few years has prompted Nedap AVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification) to change its name to Nedap Identification Systems. From specialising in long-range RFID solutions for vehicle and driver identification, the company’s portfolio now includes long-range identification of people in and around buildings, wireless vehicle detection sensors for on-street parking guidance and remote management of vehicle entrance points to restricted city zones.