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IBM has teamed with Zapadoslovenska energetika, (ZSE), the largest distributor and supplier of electricity in Slovakia, on a smart energy feasibility study that will help prepare the capital city Bratislava for electric vehicles (EVs). Using e-mobility technology, the study will help identify the possibilities of connecting two neighbouring metropolitan areas – Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna, Austria with a ‘green’ highway that will interconnect the two cities with a network of public charging stations for

The UK government plans to announce new laws next month that will mean people who drive a vehicle while impaired by prescription drugs can be prosecuted. The new laws are also aimed at 'legal high' drugs, over-the-counter remedies, and will also target a series of loopholes relating to drug driving. According to estimates for the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) drugs are a primary factor in almost 25 per cent of fatal road accidents, while one in ten young drivers admitted to driving while impaired by

Ingenico, a French company specialising in payment solutions, has announced that its EFT930G wireless payment terminal has been selected by the Angolan Ministry of Home Affairs for the payment of traffic fines. Starting with a pilot in Luanda, this new payment method will allow drivers to pay fines with their own credit card, by authorising the amount, and then continue on their way. Currently, 120 officers have been trained on this new POS solution and the number is set to increase in the near future. This

Sweden-headquartered Sensys Traffic says it has received an order worth US$3.54 for red-light enforcement in an un-named Middle East country. This is also the first major order for the new Sensys RS242 radar, which in addition to recording traffic offences also identifies lanes and classifies vehicles. "This breakthrough comes further to a several-year procurement process where the competition was very tough,” says Johan Frilund, CEO of Sensys Traffic. “We see this as confirmation of our competitiveness and

Linde North America, a specialist in the design, construction and operation of hydrogen vehicle fuelling systems, has commissioned an installation at AC Transit, the bus operator for 13 cities in the East Bay Area, including Emeryville, Oakland and Berkeley, and also operates trans-bay service to San Francisco. The Emeryville hydrogen fuelling station, which is now fuelling 12 fuel cell buses and up to 20 passenger cars a day, is one of two Linde is supplying to AC Transit. The second, located at the Oaklan

Coulomb Technologies has announced the completion of more than 2,400 shipments of its public and commercial charging stations for electric vehicles through its ChargePoint America programme. The company claims it has seen exceptional demand in all 10 regions of the programme and is finalising the installation of charging stations within these regions.

Garmin International will provide a fully integrated, factory-installed infotainment system for most American 2013 model year Suzuki vehicles. The company’s system combines a 6.1-inch high-resolution touchscreen display with a full-featured infotainment platform, including AM/FM/CD radio, multi-media playback, backup camera support, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, Pandora internet radio and Garmin’s navigation. The intuitive user interface with advanced voice control makes it easy to operate the system a

As the cost of global congestion inches towards the $1 trillion mark, key economies including Europe, North America, Japan and China amongst others prepare for a green-commute blueprint. Some 16 of the key automotive OEMs are working on more than 110 short distance vehicles, with approximately 50 models being already production ready. The remaining 60 are in concept stage, but expected to become production ready by 2020. The emergence of such micro-mobility vehicles is expected to fight congestion, ease par

China BAK Battery, a manufacturer of lithium-based battery cells, has announced that the company has received a US$1.9 million subsidy for its battery module project from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Comprised of cylindrical cells that can be used in electric vehicles (EVs), electric motors, electric bicycles (e-bikes) and power storage, the government funds will be used to further develop the battery module's efficiency an

For the ninth time, the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) is looking for the world's best ideas for applications in the field of satellite navigation. HPI Fleet, a European independent fleet management company, is supporting the ESNC 2012 as the new title sponsor and is looking for innovative ideas that facilitate the mobility of people. This is also the first year in which the European Commission is funding the competition's prize pool and Nokia Location & Commerce will be providing further

The organisers of the inaugural UrbanTec China Conference event, and held as part of the annual China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), from 28 May to 1 June, have announced that Siemens Infrastructure & Cities sector is participating as a full event sponsor. With special focus on the sustainable development of cities, the two-day conference is driven by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The inaugural UrbanTec China Conference brings together

Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor Company's chief executive officer, has unveiled initiatives in automotive communications technology intended to move Nissan and Infiniti into a leadership position in the connected car content and services market. In announcing the collaboration with companies such as Google, Pandora Radio and Intel at the New York International Auto Show, Ghosn said, "It's clear that consumers expect to be connected wherever they are, and that includes the time spent in their automobiles. To mee

Iteris has announced it has shipped its first orders of Vantage Vector, the new flagship sensor of the Vantage vehicle detection family. The company says the Vector is the industry's first vehicle detection sensor that combines video and radar technologies to provide a broader range of detection functions. Building on the proven benefits of video-based vehicle detection, Iteris says Vector's extended detection range enables important advances in intersection safety and data collection.

McCain has won a three-year contract to supply around 900 traffic controller cabinets to North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDoT) which will include North Carolina versions of both the 332 and 336S. The base mounted 332 controller cabinet has an industry reputation of being durable and offers plenty of inside space, while the 336S is smaller and ideal for pole mounting. Both cabinets' designs include environmental friendly, mercury-free construction, energy efficient power supply, and ‘normally e

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODoT) has entered into a public private partnership with SpeedInfo which will see more than 1,000 solar-powered vehicle radar sensors deployed along important metro-corridor interstate and state roads. Traffic data from SpeedInfo sensors continuously feed ODoT's web-based system for traffic management and real-time road speeds and travel times are available through www.buckeyetraffic.org. The advanced system also distributes travel time information to an expanding network