Location Based Systems

Ford Europe is to present the latest results from the SimTD project at Telematics Munich. The SimTD project tested car-to-car (C2C) and car-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication in one of the world’s largest field operational tests in Germany.

TomTom has released the latest version of TomTom Traffic which now includes an innovative ‘jam ahead warning’ feature, which pinpoints the precise location of a traffic jam and sends an early-warning alert so that drivers can safely reduce their speed. Available automatically to all existing users, TomTom Traffic also includes new features that further improve routing accuracy. TomTom Traffic now detects road closures and road works automatically on more roads. A new ‘predictive flow feed’ can more accu

The University of Tokyo and Mazda Motor Corporation have jointly developed a system involving wireless communications technology to prevent collisions between cars and streetcars (or trams). The system’s car-mounted sensors can detect signals from a streetcar up to 100 metres away, in contrast with the current range of just a few dozen metres for conventional sensors on cars. The new system is designed to prevent collisions between vehicles and oncoming streetcars by allowing their position and direction

One of the ten key projects launched in 2006 by Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport aims to build the world’s most intelligent highways. In a world where eighty per cent of traffic accidents on expressways are attributed to driver negligence, Korea records the lowest level of traffic safety among OECD member countries. The smart highway project aims to reduce the accident rate and encourage people to use expressways more conveniently by integrating information, automobile and road mana

Nokia Corporation has signed an agreement to sell substantially all of its devices and services business and licence its patents to Microsoft for US$7.1 billion in cash, payable at closing. Following the transaction, Nokia plans to focus on its three established businesses: NSN network infrastructure and services; Here mapping and location services; and Advanced Technologies technology development and licensing.

UK ticketing technology company Parkeon has partnered with information specialist Cloud Amber to develop a new way of using the in-built GPS/GPRS functionality of an electronic ticket machine to improve the scope and accuracy of real time information systems while reducing system cost, complexity and maintenance requirements. Newport Transport is to take advantage of the alliance to become one of the first bus operators in the country to take direct control of its real time information systems, using the te

Bill Shuster, US Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman will join Barry Schoch, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, as Carnegie Mellon University’s driverless 2011 Cadillac SRX transports them from suburban Cranberry to Pittsburgh International Airport.

Nokia’ Here in-car navigation business has launched a complete connected driving offer, which it says is the only end-to-end driving solution on the market today, to help car makers and in-vehicle technology suppliers connect the car and the driver to the cloud. The offering includes Here Auto embedded in-car navigation, Here Auto Cloud always-on access to dynamic services such as real-time traffic updates, and Here Auto Companion, a customisable mobile and web application.

Nissan has unveiled an IT system for light commercial vehicles that harnesses the power of smartphones to provide safety and performance data to both drivers and fleet managers in real time. By using the service, fleet managers will be able to cut down on running costs by remotely monitoring maintenance information, as well as the driving behaviour of their staff, while the vehicles are on the road. Drivers will also receive real-time information to help them operate their vehicles more safely.