Urban Traffic Control

New software from the PTV Group enables users to carry out traffic studies necessitated by planned housing schemes or shopping centre construction, which could have a substantial influence on traffic management. According to PTV, its PTV Vistro software simplifies traffic studies and allows users to quickly create networks, while at the same time enabling them to optimise traffic signals. The user can specify the geometry of the network, add data from traffic counts and specify traffic control rules for in

Siemens’ new energy saving LED pedestrian crossing wait indicator retrofit solution allows both Siemens and Peek 48 volt incandescent wait indicators to be upgraded to the latest Central Light Source (CLS) LED technology, says the company. Siemens claim the low power consumption the solution offers power savings typically in excess of 70% and represents a highly cost effective upgrade option for existing wait indicators, particularly when undertaken alongside a wider LED traffic signal upgrade program. The

In a partnership that they say will advance intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and car-to-X communications, US-headquartered IT provider Cisco and Dutch semiconductor supplier NXP Semiconductors are to invest in wireless communications specialist Cohda Wireless. The three companies will apply their collective expertise and technologies to help automotive OEMs, suppliers, enterprises and consumers to connect vehicles with ITS infrastructure. This will be spearheaded by producing the first automotive-q

Accidental or malicious issue of false messages to connected vehicles could result in dire consequences, so secure systems of authentication and certification are likely to be necessary, write Paul Avery and Sandra Dykes. Connectivity among vehicles in urban traffic systems will provide opportunity for beneficial impacts such as congestion reduction and greater safety. However, it also creates security risks with the potential for targeted disruption. Security algorithms, protocols and procedures must take

As part of its ongoing efforts to bring real-time traveller information to New Hampshire motorists, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has partnered with TrafficLand, a Virginia-based company, to provide real-time viewing access to the NHDOT's highway cameras. The public can now view traffic and road conditions from NHDOT cameras in ten regions of the state via the TrafficLand website, www.Trafficland.com. The camera locations are tied to interactive Google maps, which display travel sp

Telematics Update’s V2X for Safety and Mobility Europe 2013 Conference, to be held in Frankfurt on 20-21 February 2013, will bring together decision makers from OEMs, government, suppliers, manufacturers and road operators, allowing key players in the value chain to gain insights into different strategies that are breaking ground in the European TS landscape. A line-up of speakers from organisations including BMW, ETSI, Renault, Denso, Scania, NEC, Cohda, RWS and the European Commission, amongst others, wil

Spain-headquartered technology company Indra has designed an Urban Interoperability Platform (UOIP), which it says aids a city’s different systems to exchange information and define behaviour patterns and adapt services to real needs. Using the company’s Atanea technology to integrate and manage all services and solutions comprising a city ecosystem, Indra says the solution ensures greater efficiency in providing services as a result of the coordination of resources available in the city. The company claims

Norwegian-headquartered tolling specialist Q-Free is to acquire 100 per cent of the shares of TCS International (TCS). Established more than ten years ago, TCS has fifteen employees, with offices in Boston, US, and a subsidiary in Toronto, Canada. The company provides advanced transportation management systems (ATMS), specialising in intelligent parking guidance and management systems. TCS offers consulting solutions and systems design for a wide range of clients including cities, transportation organisati

The new SmartWay app from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) p will help drivers navigate Tennessee highways, providing up-to-the-minute customised traffic information. The home screen for the TDOT SmartWay App is a map, which will locate the user’s current position. Users will see icons on the left hand side of the map for traffic speeds, incidents, cameras, road construction, road conditions, and dynamic message signs. Map views can be customised by simply clicking on those icons.

Washington’s District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has announced proposed locations for fifty-four new Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) stations to be installed this winter in the District of Columbia. The list includes proposed new stations in all eight wards of the city. DDOT selected the locations from a longer list of suggested locations submitted by the public over the past two years. DDOT evaluated the locations using several criteria, including population density, employment density, bike-to-work rate