News

The UK Government has announced an investment of £9 million (US$14.4 million) with a further £4 million (US$6.3 million) from industry into new Energy Storage R&D Centre which will work to accelerate the development of the next generation of batteries for electric and hybrid vehicles. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills hopes that the new £13 (US$20.7 million) million centre, which will be based at the University of Warwick, will help the UK to capitalise on the growing electric and hybrid ve

In response to increased traffic density and demands on its transportation infrastructure, Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) has upgraded its Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS). New Jersey based Activu has installed state-of-the-art video wall displays and intelligent network-based visualisation software that integrates with 1,645 video detection cameras, 500 full-colour closed-circuit television cameras, its NaviGAtor II and 511 systems, changeable message signs, Navigator website, and s

ITS America has awarded the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) a Smart Solution Spotlight Award for a new web-based tool that allows truck owners to self-issue the permits and routes they need to move oversize and overweight loads on the state’s highway system. The Smart Solution Spotlight award is made to companies and organisations that use innovative technology to create a safer, cleaner, more efficient and sustainable transportation system. The

US based McCain, manufacturer and supplier of intelligent transportation systems, traffic control equipment and parking guidance solutions, has been awarded a one-year contract for 332 and 336S traffic controller cabinets and 170E traffic signal controllers by the City of Fort Worth, Texas. The company says 170/2070-style California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) approved traffic signal controllers and controller cabinets represent some of the most tried-and-true solutions the industry has to offer

Thales has announced that it has been awarded a framework contract by the Norwegian rail administrator, Jernbaneverket (JBV), to supply a new railway signal interlocking system. The first three projects in the contract, worth over US$41,400,000, are for new signalling systems for the Sandnes-Stavanger line, the Ganddal cargo terminal and Høvik station.

AMG-Panogenics, British manufacturer of the PanoCam360, has partnered with Canadian based digital video technology company i3 to integrate i3 tracking software within the camera. PanoCam360 is a powerful and versatile 360 degree camera range that works on an open software platform, which makes it very easy to integrate the I3 software, enabling the camera to track pedestrian walking patterns over a 360 degree area using just a single ceiling-mounted camera.

Octo Telematics, provider of advanced telematics systems and services to the vehicle and insurance industries globally, is to add specialised crash management services to its Usage Based Insurance (UBI) programs in the United States. Crash management services reduce costs and provide tangible life-saving benefits for drivers, their passengers, and insurance by providing the vehicle’s location for prompt assistance in the event of a crash, as well as detailed crash kinematics and dynamic reconstruction. Vehi

3M has announced the completion of its acquisition of the business of Federal Signal Technologies Group (FSTech) from Federal Signal Corp. FSTech technologies for electronic toll collection and parking management hardware and software services are key to 3M’s motor vehicle systems and services business. FSTech complements 3M’s products and services for the US Department of Transportation, the Department of Motor Vehicles, toll authorities, public safety agencies and parking operators. The integration of FST

Parsons Brinckerhoff, the international engineering consultant, has been appointed to provide a broad range of specialist services to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) under its new Transport Professional Services framework, a key enabler to help deliver much-needed investment in transport infrastructure across the region.

Software company, HaCon, is to develop a central data hub for the North-Hessian Traffic Association (NVV) in Germany. NVV is to introduce a dynamic passenger information system to deliver accurate comprehensive travel information to its bus and rail passengers.

In Australia, Perth state government has unveiled its plans for a light rail network to relieve traffic congestion in Perth. The government is proposing a 22 kilometre light rail line linking the central business district to the northern suburbs and running alongside some of the city's busiest roads.

Electric vehicle charging company, POD Point, has launched the UK’s first nationwide Pay As You Go network for electric vehicle charging. The POD Point Pay As You Go (PP PAYG) network is free to join, has no monthly fee and only requires a refundable £10 balance for account activation. Based on London’s Oyster model, the PP PAYG network will use SMS text to access charging points and stop and start charging cycles, providing electric and hybrid vehicle drivers with the first nationwide, card-less charging

The European commission has launched the first EU award to encourage the adoption of Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (SUMPs) by local and regional authorities. Under the inaugural theme ‘stakeholder and citizen participation’, local and regional authorities can submit their applications for the award of EUR 10 000 (US$12,606) on www.dotherightmix.eu.

The city of Hyderabad has announced an ambitious 12-month plan to install a new city-wide traffic signal system called the Hyderabad Traffic Integrated Management System (HTRIMS). The US $12 million contract, which was awarded to Bharath Electronics Limited (BEL) earlier this month, aims to upgrade traffic signals at 180 existing junctions across the busy city and bring a further 41 new junctions into the system.

Traffic Technology Ltd. has revealed its involvement over the last three years with Transport for London (TfL) in developing and deploying monitoring systems for the London Olympics 2012 games walking and cycling routes. The company supplied its Eco Multi pedestrian and cycle monitoring systems which have been installed in four locations on the eight designated ‘2012 Games Walking & Cycling Routes’. Traffic Technology says the unique ‘click and lock’ modular system of the Eco Multi enables several units to