News

Uber had disabled the emergency braking function of the Volvo XC90 which killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona in March. A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) says the car was “operating with a self-driving system in computer control mode” when it struck 49-year-old Elaine Herzberg, who was pushing a bicycle across the road. According to the NTSB report, Uber said “emergency braking manoeuvres are not enabled while the vehicle is under computer control, to reduce the

UK technology provider Microlise says its new Microlise Camera Solution helps fleet operators reduce insurance costs, encourage good driving behaviour and improve safety. Integrated into the company’s telematics offering, the multi-way camera product records up to four high-definition video streams simultaneously and can be configured with over-the-air software updates. A digital video recorder inside the vehicle records footage from the cameras, which is linked to a Microlise telematics unit. Video cli

Imaging products supplier Framos has appointed Chris Barrett vice president of sensor engineering. He has experience in engineering management, R&D and operations. Barrett has been co-CEO of International Datacasting, where he managed all operations and engineering including projects developing low latency high definition video solutions and a 4K decoder.

The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) has installed Edeva's traffic system speed bumps on the E65 road in the city of Ystad. Called Actibmup, the solution is intended to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists crossing the street from Ystad harbour. Actibump detects if the speed of an oncoming vehicle is above the limit and lowers a hatch a few centimetres into the road surface to remind the driver of the speed limit.

EU countries will need to switch to distance-based road use charges for trucks and buses in 2023 and for cars in 2026. The European Parliament’s Transport Committee has voted on new amendments in a bid to meet emission reduction targets and make charges fairer. Distance-based charging is intended to ensure vehicles are charged according to actual road use and pollution generated. The rule will also apply to goods vans over 2.4 tonnes from 2022. EU countries would need to set different road charging ra

Car-sharing group Car2Go is suspending operations in Toronto, Canada, because of what it sees as restrictive regulations introduced by the city’s authorities. Toronto City Council is introducing its own free-floating carshare pilot on June 1 which Car2Go says makes its service ‘inoperable’. In a letter to users, Car2Go’s North America CEO Paul DeLong says that companies taking part in Toronto’s new pilot will be charged $1,499.02 per vehicle and that many streets which operate a residents’ parking permit

Uber has pulled out on its self-driving car operation in Arizona two months after one of its test vehicles killed a pedestrian.

Five companies will present ideas ranging from smart traffic lights to segregated driverless zones in a competition to make UK roads fit or driverless cars. The candidates will receive £30,000 to test ideas, with £50,000 prize available to the winner this autumn. The National Infrastructure Commission shortlisted the companies from 81 entries submitted to The Roads for the Future initiative – led by Highways England and Innovate UK. Aecom is examining how smart signals could advise drivers and vehicles

Live demonstrations have always been a key component of every ITS America Annual Meeting and this year is no exception. A packed programme on local streets, in the car park and the exhibition hall, will provide delegates with unrivalled opportunities to see ground-breaking technology and systems in action.

New York City has won the 2018 Transport Achievement Award of the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The city’s Department of Transportation was recognised for its commitment to Vision Zero – a programme set up to help cut and eliminate traffic deaths. Mayor Bill de Blasio launched the city’s Vision Zero programme in New York in 2014. The initiative is said to have reduced the number of traffic deaths on New York’s streets by 20% and halved

Metrolink in Los Angeles has introduced Apple Pay into its mobile ticketing app. It means commuters can buy tickets with a single tap and avoid typing in credit card numbers, billing information or security codes to complete a transaction. Masabi’s Justride mobility platform powers the application.

The Munich Transport Company (MVG) will launch an on-demand ride-pooling service in the city. Powered by smart mobility provider Door2Door it will begin in June, with the stated aim of reducing the number of cars on the city’s roads. The MVG IsarTiger service is intended to complement Munich’s public transport options. Door2Door’s platform uses algorithms and data to calculate the fastest ride-pooling routes.

Amsterdam’s Here Technologies claims its over-the-air (OTA) solution will help keep connected and self-driving vehicles safe with less cost to automakers and car owners. OTA Connect is intended to ensure data, software and firmware can be transferred between the cloud and a car securely to update vehicle functions. Ralf Herrtwich, senior vice president automotive at Here, says the device allows automakers to update vehicles remotely. Drivers can also purchase upgrades and features more conveniently.