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A group of research centres and companies in Madrid has created what is said to be the first infrared and remote system able to detect pollutants from cars on highways up to three lanes. The goal is to be able to conduct a global test of automobile emissions. According to the researchers, the prototype, which is ready to be marketed, can make an intelligent measurement of highway traffic by collecting real-time data on traffic density, emissions and consumption associated with each vehicle, and weather c

According to Professor Thomas Braunl, director of the renewable energy vehicle project at the University of Western Australia, it’s time for Australia to choose a standard for vehicle charging connectors. When the university started Australia’s first electric vehicle trial in Western Australia in 2010, there were no manufacturer-built cars available and locally built conversions had to be used. As of today, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Holden and Tesla offer electric cars in the Australian market. Nearly all inte

A consortium led by Strabag and comprising its partners Euro-Asfalt and ZGB is to build the Svilaj-Odžak section of the international motorway corridor 5c in Bosnia. Work on the 10.4 km long section will begin in October 2013 and includes the construction of the roadway, the border crossing at Svilaj, the Svilaj toll station, two service areas and two motorway exits. The contract value amounts to around US$112 million.

The car navigation systems market in three ASEAN countries – Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand – is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.2 percent (2011-2018) to reach 2.08 million units in 2018, says a new report by Frost & Sullivan. Personal navigation devices (PNDs) are expected to dominate the ASEAN navigation systems market. The new analysis, Strategic Growth Opportunities in Navigation Systems Market in ASEAN, finds that the PND segment had a market share of 93 percent in 2011

For decades, planners and engineers have gathered traffic data using expensive, time-consuming surveys and processes. A new AirSage white paper, "The Future of Transportation Studies: A Comparative Review" looks at the emerging trends that are transforming the transportation planning industry and examines traditional traffic data collection methods and new complementary technologies at the forefront of the transportation industry.

A recent cross-border study by PTV and transport consultant ProgTrans in the tri-national Eurodistrict Basel (TEB), which has borders with Germany and France, examined ways in which public transport could be strengthened in the region and the need to make the most of mobility options.

Drivers convicted of causing death by dangerous driving should be given stronger and more consistent penalties, according to road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). An IAM analysis of eleven recent prosecutions involving mobile and smartphone use revealed that the average sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is four-and-a-half years in prison and a disqualification from driving for seven years. In all of the cases analysed, the convicted drivers were found to have lost the

Brazil's national ground transport agency Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT) has received eight bids for its US$1.34 billion BR-050 federal highway concession between the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais. The thirty-year concession involves the construction of the BR-050 highway, including restoration, maintenance, road widening and other improvements to provide a 437 kilometre highway along the Minas Gerais and São Paulo border, with six toll booths.

The UK Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is to introduce remote enforcement for more compliant transport operators. The remote enforcement office (REO) will be tested by VOSA in an initial six month trial scheduled to start in October.

Development services company Symphony Teleca (STC) and Guardtime, provider of keyless signature infrastructure (KSI) software and solutions are to partner in a deal that will develop security, safety, maintenance, and reliability capabilities to enhance the connected car.

The eCoMove final event, to be held at Eurogress, Aachen, Germany, from 20-21 November, offers a variety of events including a conference, an exhibition presenting the final results of the project and live driving demonstrations on public roads. Showcasing state-of-the-art cooperative intelligent transportation systems (ITS) for energy efficiency, the event will look at mitigating the environmental impacts of road transport through the latest ITS technologies: eCoMove technological advances aim to lower roa

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission (OTIC) has approved the US$930 million funding needed for ten projects in northern Ohio, each within twenty miles of the turnpike. The 241 mile-long, limited-access toll highway serves as a primary corridor to Chicago and Pittsburgh.

Motorists in Singapore can look forward to improved real-time traffic information and better traffic flow as the country’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) begins works to enhance existing electronic signboards along the expressways. The 380 existing island-wide expressway motoring advisory system (EMAS) electronic signs will be replaced with thirteen new signs. The new signs will be more readable, as they can display text and simple graphics in up to seven colours, including green, cyan and purple. The first

A new report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (MWCOG) finds that support for a toll managed lanes network grows somewhat the more it is discussed, whereas a vehicle miles travelled charge loses support after discussion. Among 300 people who participated in five-hour moderated small group discussions of alternative ways of dealing with traffic congestion in the Washington DC metro area, toll express lanes on all major highways receiv

The European Transport Research Alliance (ETRA) has organised a one day conference on ways towards facilitating the wider and more balanced use of (large) transport research infrastructures in Europe as well as facilitating the linking of relevant research data bases and exchanges of data. The idea is to promote this cooperation and networking of research infrastructures as part of the process for creating the ERA–T, the European Research Area in the field of transport. The conference takes place on 10 Octo