UTC

On 14 April, European Transport Ministers released the Declaration of Amsterdam on Cooperation in the field of connected and automated driving. FIA Region I and its European Mobility Clubs welcome the Dutch Presidency’s ambition to facilitate the introduction of highly automated and connected vehicles throughout Europe by 2019. The document’s objective is to intensify cooperation, leading to the expected benefits of vehicle automation in terms of safety, efficiency and sustainability while also supporting v

US-based Econolite has partnered with Clean Slate Group to provide customisable anti-graffiti vinyl wraps for traffic cabinets in support of decoration and anti-graffiti programs. Econolite says the proprietary vinyl film used for the wraps can significantly reduce city costs associated with removing graffiti vandalism. The fade-resistant film also reduces maintenance costs by eliminating re-painting services. The anti-graffiti wraps are ideal for supporting decoration programs that include new and updat

US-based Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) has entered into a partnership with Middle East IT specialist and systems integrator Omnix International to distribute their products in the region. GTT, makers of Opticom priority control solutions and Canoga traffic-sensing solutions, began expanding into the international market last year by creating partnerships with established regional companies. GTT vice president of EMEA markets Richard Eltze says the company's focus on smart mobility solutions, incl

Strasbourg Eurométropole in France has selected PTV Group, in collaboration with TomTom, to monitor traffic and congestion in real-time across more than 600 kilometres of the greater Strasbourg road network. The project will enable SIRAC, the city traffic management centre, to combine real-time data sourced by TomTom with PTV’s Optima analytics platform to monitor and control traffic conditions. In addition, real-time information on the current traffic situation can be communicated to drivers on both the

The Australian Government has announced plans to invest in Australia’s infrastructure, spending US$370.27 million (AU$490 million) in Western Australia infrastructure in 2016-2017 and US$1.2 billion (AU$1.5 billion) on road and rail projects in Victoria. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull stated that the federal government and the Western Australia state government will work together to identify the appropriate projects for the additional investment. A spokeswoman for West Australian Premier Colin Barnett,

German transportation modelling specialist PTV Group is working with UK consultants Atkins on a project commissioned by the UK Department for Transport which looks to simulate the potential impacts connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) may have on traffic flow and capacity of the UK road network. The project uses PTV’s Vissim 8 software which enables users to create a virtual testing environment and simulate all modes of transport, illustrating their motion characteristics and mutual interaction. User

Highways England (HE) is to invest US$213.5 million (£150 million) on new technology, including trials of driverless car technology on motorways. As part of its innovation strategy, HE may introduce a connected corridor, or ‘wi-fi road’, which could see cars and infrastructure wirelessly connected, with drivers receiving news of advanced road closures or congestion warnings. The strategy also includes trialling radar technology on motorways and in tunnels to improve the way breakdowns are detected. A

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced the publication of SAE International's J2735: Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) Message Set Dictionary, for applications using the 5.9 GHz DSRC for Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments communications systems and other communications media. This document defines the message set and its data frames and data elements. In addition, SAE published the J2945/1 On-Board System Requirements for V2V Safety Communications standard. This st

US-based Global Traffic Technologies (GTT) will be presenting its vision of the future at a business solutions summit for traffic consultants this week in southern California. Traffic management systems provider GTT will discuss the continued expansion of its managed services business and claims that, with the right infrastructure in place, it is able to monitor intersection and vehicle equipment remotely, conduct routine maintenance and provide useful data to traffic personnel with its robust reporting

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for US$25 million in competitive grant funding available to railroads, suppliers, and state and local governments for positive train control (PTC) implementation. The funding is part of the 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act that funds the US Department of Transportation. Applications will be accepted until 19 May 2016 and FRA will give preference to projects that would provide the greatest level of p