News

As the path to acceptance of automated vehicles on the UK’s roads moves forward, so does TRL’s role in developing robust research tools to provide the necessary evidence as to the human response to automation and its general acceptance by the driving population. Behind the scenes, TRL experts have been working on developing the software required to enable the transition of DigiCar to run as an automated vehicle as and when required. As a result, TRL’s full mission driving simulator, DigiCar, has devel

Four of the latest variable message signs (VMS) are to be installed around junction 35 of the M6 motorway at Carnforth, giving drivers better warnings of incidents and other information about the motorway such as weather conditions. As part of the work, new CCTV cameras will be mounted on the VMS signs and standalone masts, allowing Highways Agency traffic officers at the North West Regional Control Centre at Newton-le-Willows to monitor and manage motorway incidents more effectively. A similar, US$2

Danish IT company Blip Systems has appointed German traffic monitoring specialist Traffic Data Systems as its value added reseller for German-speaking countries. Traffic Data Systems is now offering BlipTrack, a non-intrusive solution that collects, analyses and visualises real-time data. BlipTrack sensors collect data from passing vehicles equipped with Bluetooth and wi-fi-enabled devices and calculate journey times and traffic flow. The solution is also able to analyse data from third-party data source

A report on the role of speed in vehicle crashes in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, makes a number of recommendations to isolate speed as a causal factor in crash rates by improving data collection and conducting specific research to identify the triggers for speeding, particularly in rural and regional areas. The report, by the Joint Standing Committee on Road Safety (Staysafe) also looks at the appropriateness of speed limits and approaches adopted in other jurisdictions and the adequacy of existing

Temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider, Mobile Visual Information Systems Ltd (MVIS), has supplied the BAM Morgan Sindall joint venture with a temporary over-height detection solution for use on the M62 and M1 junction 39 to 42 smart motorway project. Developed by MVIS and its partner, Intellicone temporary work zone safety system creator, Highway Resource Solutions (HRS), the over-height detection solution is part of the partners’ work-zone safety portfolio, the first temporary

Indian IT company Tech Mahindra has joined forces with The Open University (OU) and Milton Keynes Council in leading the charge in the United Kingdom's smart cities revolution, in an agreement which will see the parties work closely together in researching key areas behind smart cities. Smart cities harness the power of big data to improve the running of key services such as energy and transport, making them more reliable and efficient. The new partnership will focus its efforts on: Energy; Transportatio

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has begun work on installing an active traffic management |(ATM) system on interstate 66 through Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties from the Washington, DC line to Route 29 in Gainesville. Designed and built by TransCore, the system is intended to improve safety and incident management and will include new sign gantries, shoulder and lane control signs, speed displays, incident and queue detection, and increased traffic camera coverage.

Global shipments of factory-installed Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS) systems based on interior facing cameras will reach 6.7 million by 2019, according to recent findings from ABI Research. “DMS solutions are expected to gain new momentum as critical support systems for human-machine interactions (HMI) related to ADAS active safety alerts and autonomous-to-manual handover but also as solutions enabling smart dashboards and contextual HMI in an in-vehicle environment increasingly characterized by inform

Frost & Sullivan's is holding an online complimentary Analyst Briefing to shed light on the key factors influencing car sharing growth in cities and the market size potential. The briefing starts at 0400 GMT on 20 November. Speakers are Frost & Sullivan Industry Principal (Mobility) Martyn Briggs and Zipcar general manager (UK) Mark Walker.

Nokia’s navigation and mapping business Here has become the thirteenth member of the International Transport Forum’s (ITF’s) Corporate Partnership Board, its platform for policy dialogue with the private sector. “Here is working at the cutting edge of current trends in transport. Their input will be of great value for the CPB by deepening the technical knowledge in support of a business perspective on emerging transport policy issues and new challenges to the transport system”, said ITF secretary-general

With the launch of Dart Charge set for 30 November, work to remove the toll booths will begin on Friday 28 November - the same weekend the new payment arrangements go live. Dart Charge means that drivers will no longer stop at a barrier to pay the charge. Instead, they will pay online, by phone, by post or in one of thousands of payzone retail outlets. The new payment arrangements will signal the start of major construction work to improve the road layout at the crossing, with 27 lanes of traffic reduced

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced federal funding of US$33 million for 56 projects to improve transportation alternatives, according to PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch. Transportation alternative projects enhance pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve access to public transportation, create safe routes to school, preserve historic transportation structures, provide environmental mitigation, create trails that serve a transportation purpose, and promote safety and mob

The 505 kilometre road linking Kenya with Ethiopia is expected to be completed by the end of 2015, according to the Governor of Kenya's Marsabit County. Construction of the road is expected to cost more than US$500 million and is being funded by the African Development Bank, the European Union and the Kenya Government. It is now 60 per cent complete and is expected to enhance the economy of the area by improving trade and regional integration between Ethiopia and Kenya by reducing general transport co