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French safety agency La Sécurité Routière has proposed that autonomous vehicles (AVs) should be made to pass a standard driving test before deployment on roads – according to a report by The European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL). Through the proposed test, AVs would be set to autopilot mode and be required to participate in a driving examination. Manoeuvres, different driving speeds, parking and navigation would all be under scrutiny.

The British Parking Association (BPA) is providing an opportunity for industry professionals to discover new products, technology and services at the company’s Partex event held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry from 13-14 June 2018. The Phoenix sponsored conference will allow visitors to learn from over 100 exhibitors and attend a range of seminars and presentations as well as network with employees in the industry. Sector experts will lead panel-led seminar sessions and discuss a range of topics incl

Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HyperloopTT) has opened a global innovation centre in Minas Gerais, Brazil, with the intention of creating an ecosystem to help solve global challenges in logistics. Called XO Square, the 43,000 sq/ft facility will house the company’s logistic research division, a fabrication lab and an ecosystem of global companies, startups, universities, innovators, scientists and governments. XO Square is supported by the government of the State of Minas Gerais, the State of

Fleet Complete has launched a mobile video platform to help improve operational safety and accident management for fleet managers across different industries. Called Fleet Complete Vision, the advanced visual analytics solution provides driver, freight and vehicle safety support. In addition, the product offers contextual video data to help reduce insurance and liability costs. Through the device, fleet managers can create and maintain driver scorecards; detect and review events; share comprehensive

All GVB trams in Amsterdam have been made cash-free as part of a strategy to increase safety for bus drivers and allow passengers to purchase tickets on board. Additionally, riders can check in with their OV Chipkaart after purchasing a ticket at one of the points of sale. Alexandra van Huffele, general director at the GVB Amsterdam, said: "The turnaround to cashless vehicles was a large-scale operation in which the introduction of pin was tested extensively and carefully. We are very pleased that we

Portland-based Moovel will launch a system that intends to increase transit ridership and streamline ticketing by allowing riders to access benefits and reduced fares from their mobile devices. Called FareShare, the mobile app and online system aim to provide passengers with a better travel experience and reduce operational costs for transit agencies by removing the distribution and tracking of physical transit passes. The solution will be available to universities, employers and other organisations that

The American Center for Mobility (ACM) has appointed Microsoft as its exclusive data and cloud provider to help develop connected and automated vehicles (C/AVs) as well as mobility technologies. The facility officially opened in Ypsilanti Township on the 4 April 2018. ACM is part of the PlanetM, a collaboration of private industry, government and institutions of higher learning that aims to change the way people and goods are transported across all modes of transportation. Both partners will design a

UK-based Aurrigo has opened an office in Ottawa, Canada, and is seeking academic, industry and government partners to support the development of its autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. The Coventry-headquartered firm believes its four-seater Pod Zero will offer a viable first and last mile transport solution for moving people around key locations. It has already enlisted researchers at Carleton University to facilitate AV trials on its campus and has received critical support from economic development ag

Groupe ADP is trialling two electric driverless shuttles at France’s Charles de Gaulle airport until July 2018 to assess how automated vehicles (AVs) behave on a busy roadway. Keolis is operating the service and has partnered with autonomous shuttle designer, Navya. The project is located at the airport’s business district, Roissypôle, and will test how these vehicles merge and pass within an extremely dense environment that includes pedestrians.

Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) will present findings from the UK’s platooning truck trials at the Microlise Transport Conference, on 16 May 2018.The presentation will include an assessment of the effects of fuel use, harmful tailpipe emissions, congestion and road safety. The trial, according to Rob Wallis, TRL’s chief executive officer, aims to provide an independent impact assessment and to quantify possible benefits and disbenefits of the technology. At the event, Wallis will provide an overview of

EastLink has used an aerial drone from Telstra to capture a Lidar map for its Mullum Mullum tunnel in Australia to help support safe trials of fully self-driving cars. Doug Spencer-Roy, EastLink’s corporate affairs and marketing manager, said that trial sites need to be mapped in high resolution to allow self-driving car prototypes to be conducted under controlled conditions to test their safe operation. Additionally, the process can also support the company’s maintenance activities, by allowing the deta

Whim, the Mobility as a Service (MaaS) app which gives users access to transport packages on a pay-as-you-go or monthly subscription basis, has announced ambitious growth plans. “Within the next five years, we want to cover 60 countries,” Whim co-founder Kaj Pyyhtia (pictured) told ITS International. At present Whim, which is owned by MaaS Global, is available in just two countries, but Pyyhtia insists the target is achievable. The service was launched in Birmingham, UK, last week, to cover the

EastLink has demonstrated hands-free driving capabilities on a section of its Melbourne freeway to help provide Victorian drivers with a better understanding of the technology. For the test, a Honda CR-V VTi-LX carried out automated speed plus steering control, using the adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist functions in an area of Eastlink closed to traffic. It was televised on 7 News Melbourne at 6.00pm on the 6 April 2018. The vehicle, according to Doug Spencer-Roy, EastLink’s corporate affair

Ertico Ertico has welcomed the mandatory installation of eCall in all new car and light vehicle models in Europe which will come into effect this month. The company, according to its chief executive officer Jacob Bangsgaard, has acted as one of the driving forces behind the discussion of equipping vehicles with emergency call service since 2001. Bangsgaard said: “Thanks to our diverse Partnership, we ensured cross-sectoral discussions and cooperation which was fundamental for reaching consensus towards

ViaVan, the joint venture between Via and Mercedes-Benz Vans, has launched a ride-sharing service in London that aims to reduce congestion and emissions by grouping app-users travelling in the same direction into one vehicle. Additionally, the company intends to offer a more affordable alternative than private car services between the capital’s zones one and two. It is now offering trips costing £3 ($2.14) for a limited period. Through the app, users select their pick up and drop off location and