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Accurate, timely information which eliminates the need to brake quickly when approaching a work zone or other road hazard could prevent crashes and save lives, according to research by the University of Minnesota. Thanks to research by the University of Minnesota, this vision is closer than ever to reality. “In the past fifty years we’ve made great strides in reducing traffic fatalities with technologies that save lives in crashes, like airbags and seat belts,” says M. Imram Hayee, electrical and computer e

Having already cut traffic collisions resulting in injuries and deaths by nearly forty per cent in five years by analysing patterns from data it has collected, the city of Edmonton, Canada, is using predictive technologies to increase road safety even more. The city’s Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) has installed as many as 200 digital signs as just one element of an innovative traffic safety program that has dramatically reduced vehicle collisions in the Edmonton region since OTS launched in late 2006. Unde

Indian technology company Rajdeep has received an order from Oriental Structural Engineers to install an infrared vehicle classification system for a National Highways Development Project (NHDP) Phase V road upgrading project in Etawah Chakeri, Uttar Pradesh. The order involves two toll plazas with a total of twenty-six lanes. The new system will replace the existing treadle based classification system. All toll lanes will have weigh in motion (WIM) as well as a mix of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) lane

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is to launch its corridor management system, which will integrate traffic information from the myriad transportation agencies along the north central expressway in the region to provide drivers with up to date travel information. The US$9 million project, partially funded by the Department of Transportation, is among several integrated corridor management pioneer sites chosen because of the high travel demand and congestion brought on by the more than 266,000 vehicles that u

The International Transport Forum (ITF) is joining forces with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to foster a new twinning initiative between Jamaica and the UK that will help implement best practices in road safety data collection in the Caribbean. In a first phase, a comprehensive review of safety data collection and use in Jamaica is currently being carried out by UK experts. Jamaica is a regional leader in road crash data and a potential beacon for sharing best practices and knowledge across the

The UK’s Automobile Association (the AA) has licensed TomTom’s HD traffic data to power its new AA Roadwatch Pro traffic app, which it has been launched to alert users to congestion on their planned routes. Using TomTom’s real time traffic services, the app provides subscribers with a text alert if there are traffic delays on their planned journey before they leave. Users can then decide on an alternative route if necessary, to give them the best chance to arrive at their destination on time. The app also p

A contract worth US$8.22 million to design and build a traffic signal control centre in the Polish city of Bialystok has been won by Siemens. The centre is to be ready for 2015, and will enable buses to take priority at almost all of the city's crossroads where traffic lights are installed, according to Deputy Mayor of Bialystok, Adam Polinski. In addition, the new system will be designed to promote optimal flow of general traffic.

TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7 integration has passed the mandatory tests and recommendation has been given from TRL to the Highways Agency for Type Approval. TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7 integration has passed the mandatory tests and recommendation has been given from TRL to the Highways Agency for Type Approval. TRL Software has confirmed that Siemens Mova 7 integration has passed the mandatory tests and recommendation has been given from TRL to the Highways Agency for Ty

The results of the US3.2 million European Union (EU research project Security of Road Transport Networks (SeRoN) have been published by software and consulting services provider PTV Group and its seven partners. The report presents a methodology which allows planners to identify critical bridges and tunnels and to develop appropriate protection measures. As part of the EU’s 7th Framework Programme, the SeRoN project investigated the security of tunnels and bridges. To this end, the project partners develop

Germany-headquartered Berner and Mattner is to carry out a feasibility study, SafeRail - Improving Safety at Railway Level Crossings, on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA). The objective of the study, which is to be carried out within ESA’s Integrated Applications Promotion Program, is to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of a space-based service using an integrated solution which employs different types of space assets in combination with already existing terrestrial techno

Electric vehicle manufacture BYD has announced plans for electrifying Hong Kong’s public transport by replacing diesel buses and LPG taxis. Experts anticipate that this will reduce Hong Kong’s vehicle emissions nearly 5 per cent. The company has also unveiled plans to introduce the first fleet of 45 e6 electric taxis in the region later this year. BYD and its partners have already built and tested three charging stations in territory. The second batch of charging stations is expected to be set up before May

New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly announced a major project to install licence plate reader cameras in every lane of traffic on all of the bridges and tunnels that serve as entrances and exits to Manhattan. Currently, Kelly said, the NYPD has complete coverage on the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges and the Battery and Holland Tunnels. Licence plate cameras will be commissioned for additional bridges by this summer. The devices can quickly scan licence plate numbers and subm