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Bartco UK partners with Signature on ITS
November 18, 2016
Variable message sign (VMS) manufacturer, Bartco UK is to partner with European intelligent transport system (ITS) manufacturer, Signature Group (France), in a deal set to increase the range of ITS products available in the UK, while expanding the international market of the UK firm. The partnership will involve the two companies working together to develop new ITS products for manufacture both by Bartco UK and Signature Group’s industries. These will include UK regulation-compatible versions of existing
CDOT launches road usage charge pilot research program
November 18, 2016
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has explored a number of ways to find sustainable road funding. It is facing a nearly US$1 billion annual funding gap over the next 25 years and is looking to explore transportation funding alternatives as the fuel tax continues to become less reliable over time, due decreased purchasing power and more fuel efficient and electric vehicles. This pilot is the first step in an extensive process of evaluating the concept alongside other funding alternatives. I
Intuicom expands TxDOT Laredo wireless traffic communications
November 18, 2016
Wireless solutions provider Intuicom, in conjunction with its authorised distributor, Twincrest Technologies, has supplied the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Laredo with additional wireless solutions to expand its wireless traffic communications network. The system utilises Intuicom’s Nitro58 wireless broadband radios, augmented by the company’s BroadBandPro enterprise network management software. This software automatically discovers, configures, optimises and secures their Intuicom wireles
Thales to sell its revenue collection, tolling, car park management business
November 18, 2016
International technology company Thales has entered into exclusive negotiations with French private equity firm Latour Capital with a view to divesting its ticketing and revenue collection, road tolling and car park management systems business, in line with the company’s strategy of business portfolio optimisation. With close to 850 employees mainly based in France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Mexico, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand and Egypt, this business generated sales of US$165 million (€155 mil
New York MTA extends Cubic MetroCard contract
November 18, 2016
Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) has been awarded a US$40.3 million contract extension from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) for software programming and maintenance support for the agency’s MetroCard automated fare collection (AFC) system. The extension is on an as-needed basis until the system is decommissioned, which is expected to occur in 2022, when it will be replaced by MTA’s new fare payment system, featuring mobile ticketing and open payments via co
International Making Cities Livable Conference - call for papers
November 17, 2016
The 54th International Making Cities Livable Conference takes place in New Mexico, USA on 2-6 October 2017, with the theme of public places for community, democracy, health and equity. Paper proposals are invited from elected officials, scholars and practitioners concerned with the issues such as active mobility, walkable ten minute commuting/reshaping suburbia, integrating public health and planning, health impact assessment and more. For more details and to submit a proposal, please see the confere
Safety fears over driverless and electric cars make majority of UK drivers 'cautious'
November 17, 2016
The majority of people in the UK has reservations about new driving concepts such as driverless and electric cars, but believes the popularity of such technologies will surge in the future, according to a new survey carried out by industrial connectors and components distributor Northern Connectors. The survey revealed that almost two-thirds of respondents cited safety issues, such as the driver not being in full control of their vehicle, as a main disadvantage of driverless cars. Almost half are worried
Smart sensors could end rail chaos of ‘leaves on the line’
November 17, 2016
A prototype sensor developed at the University of Birmingham, UK, is could end the annual autumn rail chaos caused by wet leaves on the line. Funded by EPSRC and the Rail Safety and Standards Board, Lee Chapman, Professor of Climate Resilience at the University worked with Alta Innovations, the University’s technology transfer company, to transform the concept into a reality. His new technology, called AutumnSense, uses low-cost sensors to continuously measure the level of moisture on the railway l
Increase in passengers for Abu Dhabi autonomous vehicles project
November 17, 2016
As the driverless vehicle project in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi began its seventh year of operations, it also welcomed its two millionth passenger. The project has collected a wealth of data which is used for further development of autonomous vehicles, both in relation to the technology and in the interaction with the users. The data collected by vehicle supplier 2getthere shows an increasing number of passengers using the system, from an average of 787 per day in May 2014 to 1,382 per day in 2016, a 75 per
Cubic and Mastercard study shows impact of New York’s car free day
November 17, 2016
Following a request from New York City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez to measure the impact of Car Free Day NYC held in April, Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) and Mastercard have now published their report about transportation demand and retail impact assessment resulting from the initiative. Rodriguez organised the initiative with a strong coalition of local support towards the goal of reducing single-occupancy vehicle use and stimulating dialogue around environmental issues. The assessment leveraged
Indra leads European autonomous driving project
November 17, 2016
Spain-based consulting and technology company Indra is leading a project that will test autonomous driving on European roads, mainly in the metropolitan areas of Lisbon, Madrid and Paris. These are the three largest cities in the Atlantic Core Network Corridor, which comprises roads that are regarded as priorities for developing Europe's transport infrastructure. Spain's Traffic Department, the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Portugal's National Road Safety Authority, the University of Coimbra, the Ped
New research identifies impact of autonomous vehicles on trucking industry
November 16, 2016
A new report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) identifies the potential impacts of autonomous vehicle technology on the trucking industry, which include significant safety and productivity benefits that may result from autonomous technology adoption. The analysis mapped potential autonomous vehicle impacts to the trucking industry's top ten issues as surveyed annually by ATRI. From hours-of-service to the driver shortage to driver health and wellness, benefits and challenges to co
Dubai trials autonomous vehicles
November 16, 2016
The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), in collaboration with Dubai Properties, has recently begun the trial operation of autonomous vehicles, each capable of carrying ten passengers, within the Business Bay District over a 650 metre-long track. This follows the success of the first and second phases of the trial operation of smart vehicles in the Dubai World Trade Center and the Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard. The electric-powered smart vehicle is designed to move within closed internal roads in a
Focus on people when delays happen, say road users
November 16, 2016
UK transport user watchdog Transport Focus has launches it report on road users’ experiences of planned roadworks and unplanned disruption. The report, Incidents and roadworks - A road user perspective, follows the watchdog’s 2015 work on road users’ needs and experiences of the Strategic Road Network. In it, the watchdog recommends planning shorter roadworks, 24/7 working and involving the freight industry more in roadworks planning. It also encourages more work to help release trapped traffic, prev
South Australia opens applications for fund to boost connected, autonomous car technology
November 16, 2016
The South Australian Government is inviting applications for a three-year US$7.5 million (AU$10 million) Future Mobility Lab Fund to boost local testing, research and development of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. From today, companies, industry bodies, research institutions and other organisations are able to submit creative proposals which will accelerate the development and implementation of connected and autonomous vehicle technology, focused on three themes:. Autonomous vehicle te