News

A new report by the US Government Accountability office (GAO) expects vehicle to vehicle (V2V) technologies to offer safety benefits, but says that a variety of deployment challenges exist. The report finds that development of V2V technologies has progressed to the point of real world testing, and if broadly deployed, they are anticipated to offer significant safety benefits.

A new partnership between Australia’s National Transport Commission (NTC) and Austroads will have a strong focus on the introduction of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS). The two associations have signed an agreement to work together on road transport issues such as research, policy development, implementation and operational matters.

Responding to the announcement by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) regarding its decision of the change to track access charges for 2014-2019, the FTA has said that “there is still the need for better understanding of the rail freight market and the expectations of existing and potential new customers”, and believes that the ORR's final determination which will increase freight rates by 21 per cent over the control period, four per cent per year will be a major set-back for promoting future growth for th

In an effort to protect road users from rock slides and falling snow and ice, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has awarded a contract to Veidekke Entreprenoer to build a tunnel and a new landslide-safe road past Haukanesberget on county road 7, the most landslide-prone road in the region.

The Brazilian government is to invest US$1.46 billion in the construction of the metro project in Curitiba, Parana, as part of the accelerated growth program for mobility, bringing the total investment in transportation to US$2.4 billion. The city will also receive US$408 million to expand the bus rapid transit system by an additional 32 kilometres, plus US$87 million for the construction of bus lanes and further bus rapid transit expansion projects.

The World Bank has approved a US$500 million loan for the National Highways Interconnectivity Improvement Project in India to improve the national highway network’s connectivity with economically deprived and remote areas. The project will focus on three low-income states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Orissa, and on less developed regions in Karnataka and West Bengal.

A fire in the third-bore of the Caldecott tunnel that killed seven in 1982 led to changes to standards for new tunnels, including the new fourth bore which is due to open later this month.

A section of the M6 motorway in the UK between junctions 10a and 13 is to be upgraded to a smart (managed) motorway with all-lane running. This section of the motorway is a major strategic route, carrying around 120,000 vehicles per day.

The government in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has announced a proposed infrastructure investment of US$10.10 billion for 2014, to include expanding the city’s underground railway system and the acquisition of new equipment and trains, as well as expansion of the Metrobus public transport system and additional cycle lanes. New subway stations will also be constructed, while roads and pavements will be repaired and the downtown area will be pedestrianised.

Norwegian company NCC is to construct the new Birkelandskrysset traffic hub in Bergen. The US$76 million contract with traffic company Bybanen Utbygging comprises a new tramway bridge, pedestrian and bicycle roads, a public transport terminal and a car park. “The tramway is a visionary public transport initiative in Bergen. We are delighted to be part of a major new project for a sustainable Bergen,” says NCC district manager Henning Simonsen.

Work has begun on a US$130.8 million major upgrade to the Bruce Highway to increase the route’s capacity in north Queensland. The upgrade will increase seven kilometres of highway from two lanes to four lanes, with major works to be carried out on the intersections at Hunter Street, Abbott Street, Lakeside Drive and Stuart Drive. Federal MP George Christensen says a four lane overpass of the rail line at Cluden will be built to separate traffic from the existing open level crossing to improve safety on

A wireless automatic vehicle identification (AVI) recently installed for public transportation provider Veolia in Sweden enables the company to control access to its gated dedicated motorway ramp. The Idesco system, installed by access control and security system supplier, GPP Perimeter Protection, includes passive windscreen tags on the buses, RFID readers and a bus gate controller to enable bus drivers to access the ramp without stopping to open the gate and prevents access by unauthorised drivers.

profitability in the third quarter. Revenue increased 10 per cent to US$28.6 million, with operating profit of US$8.4 million and a profit before tax of US$1.2 million. This compares to a negative operating result of US$3.9 million and a loss before tax of US$3.7 million in the third quarter 2012. Q-Free has also strengthened its efforts in advanced transportation management systems (ATMS) through an investment in the American traffic management company Intelight in Tucson, Arizona, and acquisition of th

Kapsch TrafficCom North America (Kapsch) is to maintain the toll collection software for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The two-year contract, awarded by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, covers all toll lane software. The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District operates the Golden Gate Bridge and two public transit systems: Golden Gate Transit buses and Golden Gate Ferry. Last year, 38 million vehicles crossed the bridge and over 9 million cust