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Creating safer roads with vehicle communication
March 26, 2013
Accurate, timely information which eliminates the need to brake quickly when approaching a work zone or other road hazard could prevent crashes and save lives, according to research by the University of Minnesota. Thanks to research by the University of Minnesota, this vision is closer than ever to reality. “In the past fifty years we’ve made great strides in reducing traffic fatalities with technologies that save lives in crashes, like airbags and seat belts,” says M. Imram Hayee, electrical and computer e
Unexpected benefits of red light cameras
March 25, 2013
According to the US National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR), red light cameras don’t only make roads safer for drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike, they also keep communities safe in other ways. From 2011-2012, local police departments from 172 communities across the country requested 4,262 red-light safety camera videos for use in solving crimes. This video footage from key intersections has helped to determine fault in hit-and-run accidents, catch vandals, and even solve shooting investigations. O
Data crunching ‘can prevent cars crashing’
March 25, 2013
Having already cut traffic collisions resulting in injuries and deaths by nearly forty per cent in five years by analysing patterns from data it has collected, the city of Edmonton, Canada, is using predictive technologies to increase road safety even more. The city’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has installed as many as 200 digital signs as just one element of an innovative traffic safety program that has dramatically reduced vehicle collisions in the Edmonton region since OTS launched in late 2006. Unde
Indian toll road upgrades to infra red classification
March 25, 2013
Indian technology company Rajdeep has received an order from Oriental Structural Engineers to install an infrared vehicle classification system for a National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase V road upgrading project in Etawah Chakeri, Uttar Pradesh. The order involves two toll plazas with a total of twenty-six lanes. The new system will replace the existing treadle based classification system. All toll lanes will have weigh in motion (WIM) as well as a mix of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) lane
DART to launch corridor management system
March 25, 2013
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is to launch its corridor management system, which will integrate traffic information from the myriad transportation agencies along the north central expressway in the region to provide drivers with up to date travel information. The US$9 million project, partially funded by the Department of Transportation, is among several integrated corridor management pioneer sites chosen because of the high travel demand and congestion brought on by the more than 266,000 vehicles that u
UK and Jamaica partner to improve road safety data
March 22, 2013
The International Transport Forum (ITF) is joining forces with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to foster a new twinning initiative between Jamaica and the UK that will help implement best practices in road safety data collection in the Caribbean. In a first phase, a comprehensive review of safety data collection and use in Jamaica is currently being carried out by UK experts. Jamaica is a regional leader in road crash data and a potential beacon for sharing best practices and knowledge across the
TomTom powers new AA Roadwatch Pro traffic app
March 22, 2013
The UK’s Automobile Association (the AA) has licensed TomTom’s HD traffic data to power its new AA Roadwatch Pro traffic app, which it has been launched to alert users to congestion on their planned routes. Using TomTom’s real time traffic services, the app provides subscribers with a text alert if there are traffic delays on their planned journey before they leave. Users can then decide on an alternative route if necessary, to give them the best chance to arrive at their destination on time. The app also p
2013 Best of ITS awards finalists announced
March 22, 2013
The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) today announced the list of finalists for the 2013 Best of ITS Awards, a highly competitive program which recognises the most innovative projects and influential achievements in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry. Winners will be announced during the Opening Plenary session of the 23rd ITS America Annual Meeting and Exposition on Monday 22April 2013 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center i
Traffic signal control centre win for Siemens
March 22, 2013
A contract worth US$8.22 million to design and build a traffic signal control centre in the Polish city of Bialystok has been won by Siemens. The centre is to be ready for 2015, and will enable buses to take priority at almost all of the city's crossroads where traffic lights are installed, according to Deputy Mayor of Bialystok, Adam Polinski. In addition, the new system will be designed to promote optimal flow of general traffic.
TEST TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7
March 22, 2013
TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7 integration has passed the mandatory tests and recommendation has been given from TRL to the Highways Agency for Type Approval. TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7 integration has passed the mandatory tests and recommendation has been given from TRL to the Highways Agency for Type Approval. TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7 integration has passed the mandatory tests and recommendation has been given from TRL to the Highways Agency for Ty
EU project identifies critical road transport infrastructure
March 21, 2013
The results of the US3.2 million European Union (EU research project Security of Road Transport Networks (SeRoN) have been published by software and consulting services provider PTV Group and its seven partners. The report presents a methodology which allows planners to identify critical bridges and tunnels and to develop appropriate protection measures. As part of the EU’s 7th Framework Programme, the SeRoN project investigated the security of tunnels and bridges. To this end, the project partners develop
Safer rail crossings with ESA satellites
March 21, 2013
Germany-headquartered Berner and Mattner is to carry out a feasibility study, SafeRail - Improving Safety at Railway Level Crossings, on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). The objective of the study, which is to be carried out within ESA’s Integrated Applications Promotion Program, is to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of a space-based service using an integrated solution which employs different types of space assets in combination with already existing terrestrial techno
Electric public transport ‘to reduce Hong Kong’s emissions’
March 21, 2013
Electric vehicle manufacture BYD has announced plans for electrifying Hong Kong’s public transport by replacing diesel buses and LPG taxis. Experts anticipate that this will reduce Hong Kong’s vehicle emissions nearly 5 per cent. The company has also unveiled plans to introduce the first fleet of 45 e6 electric taxis in the region later this year. BYD and its partners have already built and tested three charging stations in territory. The second batch of charging stations is expected to be set up before May
Type approval for Siemens Mova 7
March 21, 2013
TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7 integration has passed the mandatory tests and recommendation has been given from TRL to the Highways Agency for Type Approval. Siemens now joins Telent which passed the mandatory tests back in November 2012. Siemens will launch Mova 7 as an integral part of the new ST950 traffic controller which is to be unveiled at Traffex in April. TRL has continued to develop Mova in line with customer needs and the product's strategy.
New York ANPR cameras to track all vehicles
March 20, 2013
New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly announced a major project to install licence plate reader cameras in every lane of traffic on all of the bridges and tunnels that serve as entrances and exits to Manhattan. Currently, Kelly said, the NYPD has complete coverage on the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and the Battery and Holland Tunnels. Licence plate cameras will be commissioned for additional bridges by this summer. The devices can quickly scan licence plate numbers and subm