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Speed cameras across Avon and Somerset in the UK are beginning to be switched back on for the first time since 2011, marking the beginning of a road safety project that will see a total of 29 static cameras become operational again. They were switched off when Government funding was withdrawn for the joint local authority and police Safety Camera Partnership. The cameras will be switched back on in a phased programme, exact dates yet to be confirmed, over the coming weeks and months. Revenue raised from the

A number of Dutch provinces and municipalities are investigating whether ‘rapid’ cycling is a feasible transport option for commuters. The authorities in the Drenthe and Groningen provinces and the municipalities of Groningen, Haren, Assen and Tynaarlo are investigating whether a 30 kilometre route between Assen and Groningen can be adapted to encourage motorists to switch to bicycles. Several innovative options, such as sensors, alternative power generation and asphalt that glows in the dark, are being con

International Transport Forum’s (ITF) Transport Outlook 2015, presented in January 2015 at the OECD headquarters in Paris, France, examines the development of global transport volumes and related CO2 emissions and health impacts through to 2050. It examines factors that can affect supply and demand for transport services and focuses on scenarios illustrating potential upper and lower pathways, discussing their relevance to policy making. It presents an overview of long-run scenarios for the development of g

The American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) has backed the proposal by US Representative Candice Miller to authorise the use of existing surface transportation funding to invest in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) technologies that improve highway safety. Introducing the proposal earlier in February, Miller said, “V2I and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technologies are undoubtedly the future of automotive safety. However, we need to make sure state and federal highway safety initiatives keep pace and allow for t

A number of Dutch provinces and municipalities are investigating whether ‘rapid’ cycling is a feasible transport option for commuters. The authorities in the Drenthe and Groningen provinces and the municipalities of Groningen, Haren, Assen and Tynaarlo are investigating whether a 30 kilometre route between Assen and Groningen can be adapted to encourage motorists to switch to bicycles. Several innovative options, such as sensors, alternative power generation and asphalt that glows in the dark, are being con

The city of Sorocaba in Brazil's São Paulo state has called for bids to develop a 35 kilometre bus rapid transit (BRT) system in the city budgeted at US$47 million, according to a local government tender notice. The contract, which involves building, maintaining and operating the BRT along the city's north-south and east-west corridors for 20 years, is expected to benefit some 150,000-180,000 passengers. Studies for the project have been carried out by the Consor-Ellenco and KPMG-Proficenter consortiums. Ac

The US Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the Truck Safety Coalition, the Center for Auto Safety and Road Safe America have filed a petition with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requesting that the agency initiate rulemaking to require forward collision avoidance and mitigation braking (F-CAM) systems on all new large trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or more. F-CAM technology uses radar and sensors to first alert the driver and then t

The EU's TEN-T Programme is to provide almost US$4 million for preparatory studies for a cross-border train and bus service linking Belfast in Northern Ireland to the rest of UK and neighbouring countries. The service will also integrate other transport modes and ensure a connection to Belfast’s Central Business District. The studies will identify how best to deliver a fully integrated service with amenities other transport users (taxis, cyclists, private cars, pedestrians) and a seamless connection to the

The US Department of Transportation has released its ITS Strategic Plan 2015-2019, outlining its plans for the future of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) research. Some highlights of the plan include program categories, which provide the structure for research, development, and adoption of its technologies, including connected vehicles, automation, emerging capabilities, enterprise data, interoperability and accelerating deployment.

As the Drive Me project enters its second year, Volvo Cars is moving rapidly towards the aim of placing 100 self-driving cars in the hands of customers on selected roads around Gothenburg by 2017. The key to making this unprecedented leap is a complex network of sensors, cloud-based positioning systems and intelligent braking and steering technologies. Volvo Cars’ Autopilot system is designed to be reliable enough to allow the car to take over every aspect of driving in autonomous mode. The main challenge i

Wellington City Council in New Zealand has begun to trial Smart Parking’s bay sensor technology with the installation of an initial 72 sensors. On completion of a successful trial, which is scheduled to run to the end of April, the council plans a US$1.05 million rollout of 4,000 sensors across the inner city streets. The parking solution will also include Smart Parking’s SmartApp which will allow motorists to identify streets with available bays and avoid driving around searching for a spot on roads which