News

A report by Bloomberg says that rising hacking risks to drivers as their cars become increasingly powered by and connected to computers have prompted the US’s auto-safety regulator to start a new office focusing on the threat. “These interconnected electronics systems are creating opportunities to improve vehicle safety and reliability, but are also creating new and different safety and cybersecurity risks,” David Strickland, head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, said at a recent Senat

The Green Parking Council (GPC), which represents companies committed to pursuing environmentally beneficial choices in the parking industry, has recognised TransCore’s participation in the GPC’s growth with a 2013 Leadership Award. Presenting the award at the International Parking Institute annual meeting, Paul Wessel, executive director of GPC, explains, “We applaud and recognise TransCore for their commitment to GPC as a founding partner as we strive to transform the face of the parking industry. Trans

Blackpool Transport in the UK is expanding its partnership with transport ticketing technology specialists Parkeon after awarding the company the contract to deliver a multi-faceted platform as part of the on-going NowCard ITSO smart ticketing scheme, together with a commercial smartcard solution that will utilise the area’s extensive PayPoint retail outlets. The contract will see 150 electronic ticket machines (ETM) installed as replacements for the company’s TGX150 machines, which will have been in servic

UK local authority Bath and North East Somerset Council is installing state-of-the-art traffic electronic messaging signs around the outskirts and within Bath to provide better travel information for drivers entering the city. The variable message signs (VMS) will provide a range of information including incidents, events, car park space availability, and encourage motorists to use Park and Ride – all from the Council’s existing traffic control room at the touch of a button. The improvements to driver infor

The Government of Canada and the Province of New Brunswick are contributing funding for several new Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects. The total cost of the projects is estimated at US$415,000, with the federal government contributing up to US$204,000 under the Strategic Highway Infrastructure Program and the Province of New Brunswick providing US$211,000. The projects include: the commercial vehicle preclearance system, designed to reduce the number of times compliant vehicles need to stop

A cockpit concept that offers advice on a different route when there are delays on the usual road, or adjusts the cabin temperature based on the driver’s preferences and the outside temperature, has been developed by US automotive supplier Visteon. Habit offers these solutions and others by incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver an enhanced driving experience. Visteon's Human Bayesian Intelligence Technology (Habit) system employs machine learning algorithms that are cognisant of the specific

German machine vision specialist Vitronic has received the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) award 2013 for outstanding commercial success achieved through innovation. Vitronic used funding provided under ZIM, operated by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi), to develop its Lidar laser based technology system for video-based traffic surveillance at traffic light intersections. Vitronic claims Lidar overcomes the limitations of conventional technology such as radar, loops or light

US-based satellite and cellular-based machine-to-machine (M2M) solutions provider has launched its Orbcomm GT 1100, a self-powered M2M asset tracking and monitoring device designed for a variety of global markets including transportation and logistics, heavy equipment and oil and gas. The ruggedised, easy-to-install device is designed to fit seamlessly in between the indented spacing on intermodal containers. Its low profile and small size are also ideal for tracking and monitoring trailers and other types

After a string of heavy goods lorry drivers drove their over-sized vehicles through low tunnels, causing huge traffic delays and damaging the tunnel structure, Australian authorities took extreme action. They had tried flashing signs, neon signs and staggered signs to no avail, so drivers are now greeted with a curtain of water falling from the tunnel entrance, with a huge stop sign projected on to it. The Softstop virtual barrier created by Laservision creates the illusion of a solid sign, forcing the driv

The city of Dublin is using IBM Big Data identify and solve the root causes of traffic congestion in its public transport network throughout the city, which means improved traffic flow and better mobility for commuters. Integrating data from a citywide network of sensors with geospatial data means that city officials are able to better monitor and manage traffic in real time. To keep the city moving, the council’s traffic control centre works together with local transport operators to manage an extensive ne

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is increasing its loan for Poland’s PKP Intercity’s Pendolino trains from US$288 million to US$440 million. The project consists of the purchase of twenty modern high-speed trains and the construction of an associated maintenance depot in Warsaw. With the increase of financing, the bank aims to ensure smooth project implementation by completing the financing plan. The high-speed passenger connections will be available between Gdynia, Warsaw and Krakow/Katowice, part of a T

The European Commission has adopted two regulations to promote the roll-out of intelligent information services, such as real-time warnings about dangerous road conditions ahead and information on safe and secure parking places for truck drivers. They can be provided through different means such as variable road signs, the radio and mobile phone applications. The Commission wants these information services to be interoperable and compatible across Europe, and available to as many drivers as possible along t

The University of Michigan has announced the establishment of the Michigan Mobility Transformation Centre as a partnership with government and industry to dramatically improve the safety, sustainability and accessibility of the ways that people and goods move from place to place. According to Peter Sweatman, director of the U-M Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) and director of the new centre, emerging technological advances could bring substantial benefits to society.

Technology services provider Telent has revealed how improved driver behaviour and fuel initiatives among its mobile workforce have resulted in an annual fuel saving of £216,000 (US$328,800). The company has dramatically reduced incidents of speeding, idling, harsh braking and other such efficiency failings among 250 of its drivers following the introduction of TomTom’s Worksmart and Webfleet driving performance tools. Worksmart fleet management combines TomTom tracking and navigation with the ecoPlus on-bo

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making US$21.9 million available to help strengthen public transportation safety for millions of passengers and transit workers nationwide. In addition, the agency also announced a flexible new policy, known as safety management systems (SMS), which the USDOT has officially adopted to help guide states and transit agencies in managing safety risks in a proactive, cost-effective way.