News

Spanish technology company GMV is to develop a satellite-based positioning system for BMW’s next generation of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The company says its software determines the vehicle’s position using algorithms modified to meet BMW’s safety requirements. GMV is also providing a global navigation satellite system correction service to be run in a secure infrastructure using data from a global network of monitoring stations.

Tech giants Vodafone and IBM have signed an eight-year deal to equip National Express coaches with cloud and digital services to improve safety. Vodafone Business and IBM joined forces in January to offer customers access to technologies for integrating multiple clouds. Debbie O’Shea, group chief information officer for National Express, says: “This partnership enables us to move to a cloud environment giving us a future-proofed platform with increased flexibility that will better support our business.”

ST Engineering is operating a free on-demand autonomous vehicle shuttle service in Sentosa

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) is to launch a smart cities technology pilot in the US city of St. Louis, Missouri. DHS S&T will work with the city and the Open Geospatial Consortium to design and test smart city interoperability reference architecture (SCIRA) as a framework that integrates Internet of Things sensors for public safety applications. Lyda Krewson, mayor of St. Louis, says: “Community level application of existing technologies is essential

Google is to pair transit directions with bike- and ride-share options within Google Maps in a bid to improve first and last mile journeys. Google says users will be able to enter their destination in the search box, tap ‘Directions’ to see routes that feature ride-share and cycling options paired with transit directions. For ride-sharing, individuals can view information on how much the ride will cost, waiting time, traffic lights and an option to choose their favourite provider. Cyclists will be able

Transport for London (TfL) has chosen IT company Sopra Steria to develop software to help tackle congestion and road danger in the UK capital. TfL is responsible for managing 580km of London’s roads, as well as managing a range of assets including 6,000 traffic lights, its tunnels and some bridges. The partners will seek to develop a control centre system that provides a single view of everything happening on the road network. Glynn Barton, TfL's director of network management, says the partnership wi

Waymo is making its Waymo Open Dataset for autonomous vehicles (AVs) available to the research community for free. Waymo is hoping the data will help researchers make advances in 2D and 3D perception and progress in areas such as domain adaptation and behaviour prediction. The company says each segment of driving data captures 20 seconds of continuous driving, allowing researchers to develop models to track and predict the behaviour of other road users. This dataset covers dense and suburban environmen

Indra and engineering firm Eléctricas de Medellín Ingeniería y Servicios has commissioned a control centre and a back-up centre to supervise a 9km tunnel in Columbia. Both centres will monitor the safety and revenue collection systems of the Túnel de Oriente, which serves as a transport link between the city of Medellín and José María Córdoba airport. It is part of Concesión Túnel Aburrá Oriente, a 24km road corridor that Indra is now managing via its Mova solutions. Indra says its toll solution Mova C

Via is to launch a routing system for school buses which it claims will reduce transportation costs for the New York City (NYC) Department of Education (DoE). The ‘Via for Schools’ system will allow users to track school buses as well as receive information on unexpected changes such as real-time bus locations, route changes and vehicle delays. Richard A. Carranza, schools chancellor at NYC DoE, says: “Through our partnership with Via, we’ll soon have a state-of-the-art app for families to track buse

The UK government plans to open up roadwork data to tech companies with the aim of reducing traffic jams. The Department of Transport (DfT) says companies could potentially develop navigation apps powered by artificial intelligence that can warn drivers up to months in advance of planned disruption to routes and offer alternatives. George Freeman, minister for the future of transport, says the announcement will “help open up data, reducing congestion, pollution and frustration for road users”. The

TomTom has launched two application programming interfaces (API) to help developers build applications for electric vehicle (EV) drivers. TomTom says the Long Distance EV Routing API comes with an algorithm which calculates the route - including stops to charge - and displays an estimated time of arrival. The EV Charging Stations Availability API provides information on stations according to plug type, the company adds. Anders Truelsen, managing director, TomTom Enterprise, says the company offers dev

Engineering firm HDR has been chosen by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDoT) to deploy and evaluate statewide investment in connected and autonomous vehicle (C/AV) technology. HDR will develop a business plan aimed at realising full-scale C/AV deployments. The company says it will also provide programme support, thought leadership and training for FDoT staff. Additionally, HDR is to serve as the prime construction engineering and inspection services consultant for Florida’s Turnpike Enter

The ITS Asia Pacific (AP) Forum 2020 is accepting entries on the theme of ‘ITS Innovation Creating Liveable Communities’ until 6 September. The programme committee invites submissions for consideration as either scientific, technical or commercial papers. They are also accepting entries for special interest sessions. Additionally, AP 2020 has opened the Future Leaders Programme to recent graduates under 30 years old, allowing them to develop skills they need for academic and professional careers.

The ITS Asia Pacific (AP) Forum 2020 is accepting entries on the theme of ‘ITS Innovation Creating Liveable Communities’ until 6 September. The programme committee invites submissions for consideration as either scientific, technical or commercial papers. They are also accepting entries for special interest sessions. Additionally, AP 2020 has opened the Future Leaders Programme to recent graduates under 30 years old, allowing them to develop skills they need for academic and professional careers.

The San Diego Association of Governments (Sandag) has opened a laboratory with the aim of developing a fully integrated transportation system in the US city. The Sandag Vision Lab will serve as a collaborative space for agency staff, elected officials, working groups and industry leaders to discuss ideas, data and tools. Additionally, Sandag has established an advisory panel to develop a transportation system that uses available and emerging technologies. It will provide input on deploying technolog