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Image Sensing Systems (ISS) has introduced what it claims is the fastest, most accurate automated licence plate recognition (ALPR) engine in the world with its CitySync rapid plate recognition technology. The rapid plate recognition technology reads a licence plate numerous times and uses multiple advanced methods for both optical character recognition and plate finding for each plate read. The system looks for objects and then initiates multiple processing techniques that run concurrently on vehicles trave

Finland’s capital city, Helsinki, has installed an intelligent vehicle access control system in an effort to increase road safety, reduce hazardous emissions and make the city centre more cyclist and pedestrian friendly. Developed by Dutch vehicle detection supplier Nedap, the system provides selective vehicle access control, enabling the city to regulate traffic move movements and reduce the volume of vehicles in the city centre, by allowing only vehicles with a valid permit to enter. The system offers a

A new road sensor system is set to offer more accurate warnings for slippery surfaces. The TrackIce system, developed by Mowic, is to be installed by road maintenance contractor Peab along a 30 kilometre stretch of highway E4 between Stora Essingen and Södertälje in Sweden. According to Mowic, the TrackIce system is quick to install without the need for cables, enabling it to be installed in remote areas where no power is available. The TrackIce central unit can also handle information from other sensors su

Researchers from the US Lighting Research Center (LRC) and Penn State University have recently published a paper entitled “To illuminate or not to illuminate: Roadway lighting as it affects traffic safety at intersections”. Published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention the paper describes a parallel approach to lighting safety analysis. Tackling the tricky questions of when and where to install roadway illumination, while at the same reducing municipal costs, is a challenge for transportation a

Lagos, Nigeria, is about to get a mass transit system with a difference, which the manufacturer says will play its part in reducing congestion and air pollution in the city. For the first time in the country’s history of Nigeria, a cable car company, Ropeways Transport, is set to launch a cable car mass urban transit system in the nation’s commercial capital. Under the terms of a thirty-year franchise agreement between Ropeways Transport, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and the Lag

According to new analysis from Frost and Sullivan, Strategic Analysis of Global Market for Range Extenders, major challenges currently faced by the electric vehicle (EV) revolve around the inability to provide long range in a single charge as well as the lengthy charging times that can vary from thirty minutes to ten hours. This has limited the number of adopters for EVs. Range extender technology overcomes these challenges, strategically positioned to make strong gains in the EV market. Currently, the mark

Canada’s south coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink) has adopted the NXP Semiconductors MIFARE technology platform for Vancouver’s public transport system. Vancouver is introducing the Compass card, which will enable passengers to enjoy convenient and secure transactions across buses, sky trains and ferries using just one contactless smart card. In addition, passengers can add travel products or values to their Compass card at vending machines, online, by phone, or at a walk-in custome

Singapore traffic police are testing a new generation of red light cameras in an effort to reduce the rising number of red light violations and related accidents in the city. Cameras currently in use require physical downloading of images; the new cameras will enable police to remotely download offences. They will also react faster and capture sharper images. According to Second minister for home affairs and trade and Industry Mr S Iswaran bad driving habits will be curbed with the installation of addition

High-performance assistance systems, which control speed and the distance between vehicles, already help drivers reach their destinations safely and more comfortably. They also warn drivers of traffic jams and help them maneuver into even the tightest of parking spaces. Automotive technology and services supplier Bosch is set to expand its future range of driver assistance technology with systems will take on a growing role in guiding vehicles through traffic jams. More specifically, they will brake, accele

Italian machine vision system supplier Tattile has announced a significant re-launch plan that will see European private equity fund Ambienta take a 70 per cent shareholding in the company. Ambienta focuses on the environmental industry and is seen by Tattile as the deal partner to support the company’s plans and business internationalisation. Ambienta’s investment will be a key factor in the company’s growth strategy and will enable Tattile to conclude a number of important projects that the company has r

Transport officials in Columbus, Ohio, are following in the footsteps of Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon and Berkeley, California and recalibrating their traffic signal sensors to accommodate the growing number of cyclists in the city. Nearly all the city’s 1,000 traffic lights are connected to road sensors that detect the presence of vehicles at the intersections and adjust the lights accordingly. Cycles are another story; they don’t contain enough metal to trigger the sensor. This has caused some cyclis

The American parking industry is backing a government initiative to expand electric vehicle charging stations in the workplace. The International Parking Institute (IPI) has become a founding ambassador in the US DoE’s Workplace Charging Challenge, the latest element of the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, announced by Secretary of Energy Steven Chu at the recent Washington Auto Show’s Public Policy Day. The Workplace Charging Challenge is assisting the growth of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) by urging emp