News

Vienna public transport operator Wiener Linien is testing an energy saving tram, the EcoTram, using it in daily operation until May 2014. The tram is part of a bigger project to make public transport vehicles more energy efficient. A Siemens ultra low floor tram has been equipped with intelligent control units that predict whether cooling or heating will be required. If the tram enters a tunnel where the ambient temperature is cooler, the air-conditioning will be turned down. The units control three air

Autodesk is expanding its portfolio of technology for Building Information Modelling (BIM) for infrastructure following the completion of the acquisition of certain technology assets from two UK-based software companies, Bestech Systems and Savoy Computing Services. From Bestech Systems, Autodesk has acquired technology including Sam, a suite of software modules widely used around the world by bridge designers and engineers for load analysis in the design of small to medium span bridges. The technology

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a public consultation to seek customers’ views on proposals to withdraw cash fare payments on London buses. Since the introduction of the Oyster card in 2003, and the launch of contactless payment cards on London’s buses last year, fewer than one per cent of bus fares are now paid in cash, down from 25 per cent in 2000. TfL is now putting proposals to passengers that would see cash fare payments on London buses ending in 2014. Research shows that the majori

Saudi Arabia has committed around US$97 billion between 2010 and 2040 into railway infrastructure, with approximately US$17 billion to be invested between 2010 and 2025 in an advanced and integrated multimodal transport system. In addition, the Kingdom will invest in multiple metro transport projects to address traffic and public transport challenges, including Jeddah, Riyadh and Mecca which will all break ground between 2013 and 2014. The Saudi Rail Forum 2013 will bring together local and internationa

TRL’s MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation) is an established strategy for the control of traffic light signals at isolated junctions.

US technology company AirSage has conducted what it says is the first in an annual look at the transportation industry and the professionals in it – with some interesting findings. Just released as an eBook, the AirSage Annual Transportation Industry Survey: an Industry on the Move, provides an insight into how US-based transportation planners and traffic engineers peers view the industry, their organisations, private versus government jobs, gender and age issues and more. Conducted During May and June 2013

The European Transport Conference moves to its new home of Goethe University in Frankfurt for 2013’s event on 30 September - 2 October. Special sessions on the Automated and Cost Effective Maintenance for Railway (ACEM-Rail) project will take place on 30 September, looking at ACEM-Rail instrumentation and ACEM-Rail infrastructure management ACEM-Rail is an FP7 project which runs through 2010-2013. The final goal is to reduce the costs and the interaction of maintenance operations with railway services as w

New York City is to establish a five-year demonstration programme to monitor school speed zones in New York City with speed cameras and to allow evidence captured on camera to be used to impose liability for speeding. This new law will enhance the safety of children, pedestrians and drivers in city school speed zones by encouraging drivers to drive with caution through these areas and supplement law enforcement efforts to catch violations and prevent accidents caused by speeding. New York Governor Andrew M