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Smarter transportation infrastructure means smarter choices says IBM
November 26, 2013
Last month’s Economic Development Vitality Initiative forum, co-sponsored by IBM, identified strong infrastructure, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS) as highlighted by panellist Scott Belcher, CEO of ITS America, as essential. The key to ensuring the sustainability and resilience of our critical transportation infrastructure, in the end, comes down to encouraging the right choices. Data collected by industry, government and academia over the past several decades shows a clear correlation
West Virginia ATMS enhanced by incident response module
November 26, 2013
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) solutions provider Open Roads Consulting is to deploy its automotive incident response module for West Virginia Division of Highways’ (WVDOH) advanced transportation management system (ATMS). Open Roads’ OpenTMS has been the backbone of the WVDOH state-wide ITS program since 2008. The modular and extensible architecture of the OpenTMS platform will seamlessly incorporate the automated incident response module into the core system. The automated incident managem
Multi-function loop detector from Reno
November 26, 2013
The latest multi-function inductive loop vehicle detectors from intelligent transportation systems supplier Reno A&E are designed to reliably detect all vehicles, as well as differentiating cycles from all other vehicles. The Model C-1101-B and C-1201-B two channel loop detectors are available in 170/2070, NEMA TS1/TS2, ITS and ATC cabinet configurations and provide intersection safety without sacrificing efficiency Additional passage time for bicycles can be provided by either the loop detector or the con
Single GPS device synchronises all controllers
November 25, 2013
Canadian company STI-Tassimco has developed the STS-22 to enable traffic authorities to easily synchronise all its traffic controllers. Featuring a GPS satellite time synchronisation module and a user friendly display, the device fits standard a NEMA or 170 detection chassis or can be mounted in its own one-position chassis, and updates the controller’s clock on a regular basis. The STS-22 will compensate for the clock’s temperature drifting and other variations observed in the field, keeping it accurat
Coming soon...real time passenger communication in advance of travel
November 25, 2013
A partnership between UK payment and ticketing solutions provider Parkeon and Cloud Amber is about to deliver real time passenger information (RTPI) in advance of travel that the companies say is redefining the effectiveness of RTPI systems. The system developed by Parkeon and Cloud Amber enables over-the-air location tracking of buses, the deep integration with urban traffic management control (UTMC) data and two-way driver messaging. This bus-centric view means that operators are better able to manage
Haiti gets multimillion-dollar IDB grant to improve transport system
November 25, 2013
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it is providing US$50 million grant to help Haiti improve the efficiency and safety of its road transportation system and advance regional integration. The Washington-based financial institution said the overall objective of the programme is to make road transport in Haiti more efficient in order to foster economic activity, while facilitating regional and international integration and economic development. Specific objectives of the project include the reha
Montreal to become city of electro-mobility
November 25, 2013
Volvo Group's North American subsidiary, Nova Bus, and Canada’s Societe de Transport de Montreal (STM), are to partner on an electrification project for the public transit system of Montreal. A memorandum of understanding signed by both companies includes the testing of three Nova LFSe electric buses and two charging stations in Montreal. The goal is to have the noiseless and emission-free buses operational for demonstration in the third quarter of 2015 and in regular traffic for three years, beginning
Greater London tops the Aviva safe driver table
November 22, 2013
It may have one the heaviest traffic volumes in the UK but Greater London tops the safe driving table according to analysis from insurance provider Aviva’s Drive App, which uses smartphone technology to record a motorist’s driving style, covering their acceleration, braking and cornering. Data from over 3.5 million miles driven by users of the app reveals the areas with the safest drivers. Greater London, including areas such as Islington, Chelsea and Croydon takes the top spot in Aviva’s table - which i
ITS Australia appoints global ambassadors for 2016 ITS World Congress
November 22, 2013
ITS Australia has launched its international ambassador program to help promote the 23rd Intelligent Transport systems World Congress to be held 10 to 14 October in Melbourne, Australia. To be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, the ITS World Congress and its complementary exhibition are expected to attract more than 5,000 delegates to the capital that has been a regular winner of “the world’s most liveable city” title. ITS Australia Chief Executive Officer Susan Harris said the 20
Improved traffic information from Inrix
November 22, 2013
Inrix XD Incidents is a breakthrough in traffic intelligence, according to the company, which says it reports more accidents, road closures and other incidents across significantly more roads in more countries and at much greater speed than ever before. Inrix XD Incidents detects accidents and road closures faster by automatically correlating real-time traffic flow data with information from nearly 400 public and private sources including media partners, departments of transportation, emergency responder
Pennsylvania Senate approves transportation budget
November 22, 2013
After lengthy discussions, the Pennsylvania Senate has approved a US$2.3 billion transportation funding bill to repair aging highways and bridges, and bolster mass transit across the state. The bulk of the money, US$1.65 billion, will go toward fixing bridges and roads; about US$475 million will go to mass transit systems, including metropolitan transportation authority Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The funding will be disbursed across all transportation modes, from gravel r
Brisbane to build combined road/rail tunnel
November 22, 2013
Australia’s Queensland Government has revealed concept designs for what would be the world’s first double-deck bus and rail tunnel to replace the planned Cross River Rail project. The 15 metres wide, the US$4.6 billion underground bus and train (UBAT) tunnel would be capable of accommodating a double-track railway and two bus lanes with three underground combined bus-and-rail stations. In a statement outlining the UBAT programme, Premier Campbell Newman said: “The project we are announcing today deliver
EU approves funds to complete GPS projects
November 21, 2013
The European Parliament has approved US$9.5 billion in funding to further develop and complete Europe's satellite navigation programs, including the Galileo and EGNOS projects. The funding will cover the projects from 2014 to 2020 and will be spent on completion of the satellite navigation infrastructure as well as the development of fundamental components such as Galileo-enabled chipsets or receivers in smartphones.
Global V2V penetration in new cars to reach 69 per cent by 2027
November 21, 2013
The latest analysis by ABI research expects global V2V penetration in new cars to increase from 10.9 per cent in 2018 to 69 per cent in 2027. ABI Research vice-president and practice director Dominique Bonte comments: “Huge interest in autonomous driving across the automotive ecosystem firmly positions V2X technology and applications as a key component of driverless car systems. However, some OEMs are claiming some forms of (semi)-autonomous driving can be achieved by just using in-vehicle ADAS-sensors.
New Zealand launches draft ITS plan
November 21, 2013
The New Zealand Government has released a draft intelligent transport systems action plan for public consultation. The plan, announced by by Transport Minister Gerry Brownlee, is open for consultation until 17 January 2014. It and sets out the government’s strategic plans takes a high-level, multimodal multi-agency approach to the introduction of new ITS technologies in New Zealand over the next four years. New Zealand has some specific challenges to the introduction of intelligent transport systems in