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The Dartford-Thurrock River Crossing’s proposed free-flow payment system is set to be introduced from next year, UK Roads Minister Stephen Hammond has announced. The technology will provide flexibility for drivers travelling over or under the River Thames while also ensuring a steady traffic flow, reducing congestion. Motorists will be able to pay via telephone, text message, online and through retail outlets, instead of stopping at the crossing’s barriers. "The Dartford Crossing is vital to the local and

The Norwegian Public Road Administration has extended its contract with Q-Free to operate the country’s central tolling system. The contract was due to expire in November 2014, but has been extended for a minimum of 7.5 months. The extension has a minimum value of approximately US$5.6 million. The CSNorway contract was initially signed in 2007 and included the development of the system and conversion of all existing systems into one common central system. Around forty different concessions are running on th

Centracs MMS, Econolite’s new automated field asset and management system for the intelligent transportation systems (ITS) industry, is a simple-to-use Geographic Information System (GIS)-based proactive ITS asset management and maintenance management tool. It enables Departments of Transport, Metropolitan Planning Organisations and signal maintenance organisations to track assets in real-time and through the entire life cycle. Offering both workstation and mobile device interfaces, it supports preventativ

The INTRASME Smart Mobility Market Opportunity Workshop in Turin, Italy on 25 September will see successful SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) share their insights into emerging opportunities in intelligent transport systems (ITS). The workshop will hear from leading policy makers in ITS, research on future trends in the transport industry and experts in funding opportunities. The Smart Mobility Market Opportunity workshop will appeal to policy makers, researchers and SMEs that are keen to understand

Miami Dade Expressway Authority is procuring a new comprehensive all-electronic toll (AET) system for the 112-Airport Expressway and the 836-Dolphin Expressway with the option to add new equipment at its smaller toll facilities. The request for proposals has been issued and proposals are due by the end of July. The main portion of the work will cover: mainline toll zones and ramp toll zones on the 836-Dolphin Expressway; mainline toll zones on the 112-Airport Expressway; and an optional add-on to the main c

The state of Utah will soon deploy Help’s 360SmartView truck screening technology throughout its network of truck inspection facilities to focus on at-risk carriers. 360SmartView is a cloud-based truck-sorting system that will electronically assess all trucks entering weigh stations and present roadside officers with a real-time, complete and correct snapshot of compliance with state and federal safety and weight requirements. According to Help, States that have deployed 360SmartView in the past have report

Following a 34-year career with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), latterly as secretary of transportation, Paula Hammond has been named senior vice president and national transportation market leader at Parsons Brinckerhoff. In her new position, Hammond will be responsible for working with transportation agencies across the US, including the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), and will continue her involvement with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Of

Travellers in Mildura, Australia, now have access to up to date information on regional transport options, thanks to a recently unveiled transport app. Deputy Premier Peter Ryan launched the Transport Connect phone app, saying it would direct users to wherever they wanted to go by whatever means they wanted to travel, including walking, cycling, driving, bus, taxi and plane. "All the user has to do is type in where they want to go and the app will select the appropriate transport mode for that journey," Mr

Developed by Highway Resource Solutions (HRS), Intellicone, a modular, easy to deploy workzone safety system for the road maintenance, construction and utility sectors, has won the highly coveted Construction News Product Innovation of the year award. HRS, in association with highways service provider A-one+, were presented with the award, the judges commenting “this is what we call innovation and one that comes from the heart. This brilliant solution in one of the most dangerous sectors of construction can

Schneider Electric is working with Microsoft on CityNext, an initiative designed to help governments, businesses and citizens envision what is next for their cities. Through the CityNext initiative, Microsoft and Schneider Electric will help leaders to do “new with less,” by combining the power of technology with innovative ideas to connect governments, businesses and citizens with city services that increase efficiencies, reduce costs, foster a more sustainable environment and cultivate communities where

A decision in the dispute between the German government and Toll Collect, the operator of the HGV toll system, over the delayed introduction of the system in Germany is expected to be made by the arbitration court in the first week of October 2013. Experts believe that the German government will waive a part of its damage claims and take over Toll Collect, which is currently owned by Deutsche Telekom (45 per cent), Daimler Financial Services (45 per cent) and Cofiroute (10 per cent).

To cater to the needs of the growing population of the city of Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland Transport has adopted technology solutions from Microsoft’s new initiative, CityNext to upgrade the city’s transportation services and core infrastructure. CityNext offers cities a broad portfolio of technology solutions such as business software, devices and apps, cloud solutions, and big data platforms, from Microsoft and its partners to help city governments overcome urbanisation and governance challenges in ar