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May 21, 2014
Infrastructure projects ‘should be software-ready as well as shovel-ready’
In his blog in The Hill, Siemens president of Infrastructure & Cities Sector, Daryl Dulaney claims that, while physical improvements to transportation systems are essential, more consideration needs to be given to incorporating more intelligent technologies. He claims, “Significant improvements in mobility can be made, with minimal investment as compared with large-scale physical transportation projects, by utilising intelligent transportation software in our cities and municipalities. Integrating the us
May 19, 2014
Intelligent crossing points leads to safer future for pedestrians
An innovative project at a busy UK retail park could provide the blueprint for a new approach to pedestrian safety, according to its developers. The system utilised hard-wired active flashing LED road studs from Rennicks UK to delineate the crossing, in conjunction with LED warning signs from Swarco. Pole-mounted C-Walk pedestrian detectors from Flir activate the high performance LED studs to create a striking visual warning for motorists approaching an internal crossing at Giltbrook, near Nottingham.
May 19, 2014
Electronic toll collection system market projected to grow $9.5 billion by 2020
According to a new market research report by MarketsandMarkets, Electronic Toll Collection System Market by Products, Technology Applications and Geography - Analysis & Forecast 2013-2020, the market for electronic toll collection (ETC) is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.1 per cent from 2013 to 2020, and reach US$9.5 billion in 2020. The overall global electronic toll collection system market is segmented into four major areas: products, technologies, applications and geography. All the major segments a
May 16, 2014
UR:BAN developing driver assistance and traffic management systems
European vehicle manufacturers, including BMW, Opel and Mercedes-Benz and MAN, are taking part in a new project to develop advanced driver assistance and traffic management systems for cities. The focus is on the human element in all aspects of mobility and traffic and takes the form of three approaches: Cognitive Assistance; Networked Traffic Systems; and Human Factors in Traffic. The four-year UR:BAN project (from a German acronym for Urban Space: User-oriented assistance systems and network managemen
May 16, 2014
GPS technology improves safety for emergency response teams
Emergency response teams in the densely populated town of Brookhaven, New York, respond to more than 5,000 emergency calls every month. To enable fire-fighters and emergency services to meet the demand, town officials made the decision to upgrade to Opticom GPS priority control technology on more 500 fire trucks and at almost as many intersections. Opticom GPS uses a global network of GPS satellites to calculate vehicle speed, direction and precise location to pre-empt signals even around corners or obs
May 14, 2014
Final Drive C2X event: Drive C2X on the road to deployment
The final Drive C2X event will take place at the EUREF campus in Berlin on 16 and 17 July. For the first time, European-wide results of field operational tests (FOTs) are available and will be presented during the event. The Drive C2X final event also includes: a debate about the major outcomes of field operational tests on cooperative systems for smart driving; a business modelling gaming session to plan together the road to deployment; a dedicated conference with Q&A sessions focusing on results, da
May 14, 2014
McCain scoops San Francisco controller cabinet order
Known for its high foot-traffic, congested streets and short blocks, the flow of pedestrian traffic plays a major role in San Francisco’s transportation network. Traffic controller maintenance adds to the problem where the cabinets have single front doors that obstruct pedestrian walkways, restricting the flow of foot traffic, and often forcing rerouting and delays. That’s about to change; the City has awarded McCain a contract for the supply of traffic controller cabinets, including the City’s first-ti
May 12, 2014
New research finds distracted driving on the rise on I-95
Transurban-Fluor and AAA Mid-Atlantic have released the second annual report on distracted drivers on I-95 in Northern Virginia, which found that despite major construction, distracted driving is a growing problem on the heavily travelled corridor. The report, part of the Orange Cones, No Phones campaign focused on reducing distracted driving in the 95 Express Lanes construction zone, found that the number of frequent I-95 drivers likely to use their cell phone while driving has increased from 56 percent i
May 12, 2014
Erskine Bridge goes Bluetooth
The Erskine Bridge vehicle safety barrier replacement team introduced what is said to be a UK first in temporary traffic management on major trunk roads projects with the use of Bluetooth technology to monitor journey times and keep drivers updated on potential delays. Working on behalf of Transport Scotland, with Leeds-based Sky High Technology, contractor Highway Barrier Solutions and the Scotland TranServ project team introduced the origin-destination vehicle movement system to establish how long it w
May 9, 2014
Motorists worried about safety on smart motorways
The UK’s Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is calling for more information and advice on smart motorways for drivers. The call comes after seventy-one per cent of drivers said they would feel less safe on a motorway with no hard shoulder than a motorway with one, according to the latest poll by the IAM.