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Hyperloop unveils full-scale passenger capsule in Spain
October 8, 2018
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies has unveiled its full-scale passenger capsule at a ceremony in Puerto de Santa Maria, Spain. The company says the Quintero One capsule is built almost entirely out of its Vibranium, a dual-layer smart composite material. Dirk Ahlborn, HyperloopTT co-founder and CEO, says: “In just five years we have solved and improved upon all of the technology needed for Hyperloop with our new levitation system, vacuum pumps, batteries and
Video: giant gantry is lifted overnight on the M6, UK
October 8, 2018
Highways England has released timelapse footage which shows a 20-tonne gantry being lifted over the M6 during an overnight operation in June. The 40m-wide structure will host 10 electronic signs between junctions 18 and 19 is being installed as part of a £274 million smart motorway project in Cheshire. The scheme will be completed in phases with all roadworks due to be removed by Spring 2019.
Lime launches electric scooters in Mexico
October 8, 2018
Lime has deployed its electric scooters in Mexico to help improve air quality in the capital city. The Lime-S e-scooters are available in neighbourhoods such as Polanco, Anzures, Juarez, La Condesa and La Roma. Users can unlock and pay for the scooters for MEX$10 (40p/53c) through the company's app and are charged MEX$3 (12p/15c) per minute. Lime is also working with the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) to help ensure the scooters are introduced safely into the city.
Netherlands bans electric carts after four children killed
October 8, 2018
The Dutch government has banned electric carts following a road-rail collision which killed four children in the southern town of Oss. The Stint cart carrying the children - aged four to eight - was hit by a train at a level crossing, the BBC says. A witness heard the 32-year-old female driver from a daycare centre shout that her brakes had failed. The driver and a fifth child were seriously injured in the crash. Stints can carry up to 10 children who are strapped in with a s eatbelt. The driver is
Q-Free wins NOK30 million tolling contract in Chile
October 5, 2018
Tolling specialist Q-Free has been selected by road infrastructure operator Sociedad Concesionaria Vespucio Norte Express to service and maintain roadside equipment in Chile. The seven-year year contract is approximately valued NOK30 million (£2.7 million). Håkon Volldal, president and CEO of Q-Free, says: “We are pleased to continue our services to Vespucio Norte and strengthen our presence in the growing Chilean tolling market.”
Kapsch to deploy advanced traffic management systems in Latin America
October 5, 2018
Kapsch TrafficCom says it is strengthening its presence in Latin America through the delivery of its traffic management systems in three countries. The combined value of the contracts is approximately €15 million. Kapsch’s EcoTrafix urban traffic management software will be used to integrate existing urban traffic control and management systems in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The solution is expected to improve coordination between agencies and will control more than 3,800 intersections, 60 variable message si
One in seven UK drivers would cross a level crossing illegally, says study
October 5, 2018
One in seven UK drivers would drive over a level crossing before the barrier or gate has opened, according to new research. Research agency Populus carried out a study on behalf of Network Rail which reveals six UK drivers have been killed at level crossings in the last five years. There are also around 46 incidents every week in the UK involving vehicles at level crossings – a third of which are caused by lorries, followed by cars at 28%. According to the report, one in nine drivers would go over a l
Hyperloop could create $10bn supply chain manufacturing ecosystem
October 4, 2018
Hyperloop has the potential to create a $10 billion supply chain manufacturing ecosystem in the Middle East, says Virgin Hyperloop One. The company says it could also improve safety, decrease pollution and reduce congestion, and adds that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are well-placed to benefit from disruptive technologies in transportation, with governments from both countries exploring autonomous pods, driverless cars and flying taxis. Amjad Almkhalalati, director
Stage Intelligence appoints Tom Nutley as CEO
October 4, 2018
Artificial intelligence (AI) company Stage Intelligence has confirmed Tom Nutley will replace Toni Kendall-Troughton as CEO. Troughton will continue to maintain her position on the board of directors. Stage Intelligence says it also intends to grow its Bico AI platform, which allows users to collect, manage and visualise data and turn it into actionable insights, the company says. It has already been deployed in bike share schemes in cities such as Paris, Helsinki, Chicago, and Guadalajara, Mexico.
Driverless cars will be on UK roads within four years, says minister
October 4, 2018
Fully driverless cars will enter the UK in three to four years, says transport secretary Chris Grayling at the Conservative Party conference in the city of Birmingham. A report by Reuters says Grayling is committed to ending the sale of new diesel and petrol cars by 2040. “Newer diesel cars today are cleaner than ever before and of course there will be a role for diesel for many years to come as technology evolves,” Grayling adds. However, OpenText has carried out a survey of 2,000 UK consumers,
UK man refuses to take down fake speed camera on A1 road
October 3, 2018
A 72-year-old man living beside a major UK road has refused to take down a replica speed camera. The BBC report says Mike Lacey built the fake camera for £40 using drainpipe and guttering to slow drivers passing his house next to the A1 in Beeston, Bedfordshire. Lacey says authorities have asked him to remove the structure as it was distracting for drivers. The village is divided by a dual-carriageway with a speed limit of 50mph.
Nortech launches new range of variable message signs
October 3, 2018
Nortech says its new range of Variable Message Signs (VMS) can be viewed at distances of up to 50m with a 30-degree horizontal viewing angle. The full-colour LED signs display messages which indicate available parking spaces and status messages. According to Nortech, the multi-level signs are available from two to five level counts which make them suitable for motorways, car parks, corporate offices, airports and hospitals. The signs feature automatic luminance adjustment with the option of manual
Videalert MEV operating at school locations in north-east England
October 3, 2018
A Videalert mobile enforcement vehicle (MEV) is being used by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council in north-east England to tackle illegal parking near schools. The yellow ‘Keep clear’ areas have been identified as locations which put children’s lives at risk. Councillor Bob Norton, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth & highways, says: “Three accidents involving school children in one year is three too many and we won’t allow this continuing risk to the safety of ch
Ford, Uber and Lyft to share data through SharedStreets
October 3, 2018
Ford, Uber and Lyft will make data sets available on the SharedStreets platform in a bid to help cities and mobility companies manage congestion, cut greenhouse gases and reduce crashes. The commitment was announced at the second annual Bloomberg Global Business Forum in New York. SharedStreets is funded by the Bloomberg Philanthropies consortium. Its aim is to make it easier for the private sector to work with cities around the world and utilise data to improve mobility. According to Ford, the partn
Semcon to trial autonomous snow ploughs at Oslo airport
October 2, 2018
Semcon will deploy two autonomous snow ploughs to operate at Oslo airport in Norway from January 2019. The technology is expected to allow the airport to streamline activities and reduce delays for passengers. John Emil Halden, project manager at Semcon, says: “Our aim is to complete 40 operations to ensure that the system is working as intended and see how we can develop it further.” The initiative serves as an extension of the Yeti Project, in which 20 autonomous snow ploughs were trialled at Norway