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Midlands Future Mobility consortium will turn 50 miles of roads in Coventry and Birmingham into a UK testing centre to develop connected and autonomous vehicles (C/AVs) and related technologies. These networked roads will feature smart vehicle monitoring, data analytics and 5G wireless infrastructure. The consortium, consisting of industry and academic professionals, intends to enable industries to carry out tests using real-world environments. The consortium is led by WMG, University of Warwick and

Digital signage company Information Display is all about awareness at ITS America in Detroit—both for potential customers on the showroom floor and for drivers around the country whose behaviour they hope to influence. According to Laura Knutson, a vice president for Information Display, drivers who speed or drive recklessly typically don’t intend to. Instead, violations are usually a result of miscommunication or some form of distracted driving. Clearly informing drivers of speed deviations, road conditio

One of the biggest automotive manufacturers on the planet has signalled its intention to embrace cutting-edge ITS technology across an iconic brand. General Motors is to introduce vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications – while extending a semi-autonomous, hands-free driver assistance feature - in its Cadillac range. The company made the announcement in a keynote speech at ITS America’s annual meeting in Detroit. Mark Reuss, GM executive vice president (above), global product development, purchasing an

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will add 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to US company Waymo’s self-driving fleet in late 2018. The deployment is part of an extended agreement to expand Waymo’s transportation service. John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo, says the company intends to give passengers access to a self-driving service that will make roads safer. Additionally, the partners are now discussing whether Waymo’s technology could be used to develop an FCA-manufactured vehicle for retail clients.

Sheffield City Council is using cloud-based software from QRoutes to plan and refine around 145 routes for its Special Education Needs (SEN) Transport service. The UK council provides transport for 1,000 children to around 35 schools. Mike Keen, Sheffield’s senior transport officer, says the web-based solution’s multi-layered mapping allows users to view as many routes as required. Keen adds: “It takes about 30 seconds to run a plan and the system will give us an array of around ten different solution

Amsterdam’s Here Technologies has partnered with fabless semiconductor company Decawave to develop a solution that tracks assets in indoor environments. The partnership believes the technology could be applied to automated valet parking for driverless vehicles. The product will feature Decawave’s ultra-wideband (UWB) chipset technology to track objects and people with a 10cm-level precision in indoor environments. UWB signals are intended to provide accurate positioning capabilities that can be harnessed

Kapsch will carry out three regional projects in Spain to help manage traffic, increase toll capacity and improve railway ticketing. The company says these contracts will strengthen its position in the country. Through a six-year agreement, Kapsch will implement an access control system for the Historic Centre of León. The project is intended to improve traffic flow through number plate recognition systems and enhance transport links for local traders. The firm will also handle the operations of the tra

Swarco Traffic will supply Variable Message Signs (VMS) to improve parking and ease congestion for those visiting the UK town of Taunton in Somerset. Ten signs will be installed at strategic locations to inform drivers of local traffic restrictions. The project will be delivered alongside local consultants WSP and teams from Taunton Deane Borough Council and West Somerset Council. In addition, Swarco Traffic will install loop detectors around the park and ride centres to count the vehicles. These signs

UK- based company Pod Point can now install electric vehicle chargers at retailers and drivers’ homes for Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR’s) full battery electric I-Pace and plug-in hybrid vehicles. The charge point provider was selected in a preferred supplier agreement. I-Pace has a 90kWh battery and a 298 range on the worldwide harmonised light vehicle test procedure cycle. Meanwhile, the Range Rover plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and Range Rover Sport PHEV have a range of 31 miles. The three

Over a third of the British public would be willing to pay more for a fully electric car than a petrol or diesel vehicle, said Baringa Partners. However, the business consultancy’s latest report also highlighted 35% of respondents think these vehicles are worse value for money. Called Is the UK ready for electric cars?, the document revealed 68% of respondents are willing to pay more for an electric car for its environmental benefits. Meanwhile, nearly half based their decision on the belief that electri

The future is now. Advances in sensor and information technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to better manage truck and tyre compliance. Here at ITS America Detroit, International Road Dynamics (IRD) is demonstrating its new TACS (tyre anomaly and classification system), Vehicle Information in Motion (VI2M) software, and Virtual Weigh Station Software. TACS screens commercial vehicles at weigh station facilities to identify those that are unsafe due to missing or under-inflated tires. The system

French autonomous vehicle developer Navya has appointed Jérôme Rigaud Deputy CEO and Franck Maccary as CFO as part of its growth strategy. Rigaud was previously general manager at Kalidea, a company that outsources services to employee committees and in the management of HR benefits. He was also head of business development for France Telecom E Commerce. Maccary was financial controller of fixed networks at Alcatel-Lucent, and prior to that, vice president of investor relations at the telecommunications