News

ST Electronics of Singapore has been awarded contracts valued at a total of SGD 58 million (US$46.84 million) to carry out infomation-security and ITS projects. Under the info-security projects, which are worth SGD 28mn, ST Electronics will implement solutions and devices for a national infrastructure project, as well as event management and security incident systems.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has developed an onboard navigation system compatible with the vehicle-infrastructure cooperative Driving Safety Support System (DSSS) scheduled for launch by the Japanese National Police Agency in Japan next month. The five main features of the new system, which provides timely audio and visual warnings and notifications to drivers, are red light warning, stop sign warning, stationary vehicle ahead warning, blind corner vehicle presence notification, and green light advance n

Royal Philips Electronics is boosting its portfolio with a move to acquire Indal, a leading Spanish professional luminaires supplier. The two firms have made an agreement over the proposed acquisition deal. Indal’s product line centres on outdoor lighting solutions and this acquisition will boost both the product range and geographical spread for Philips within the European market.

Turkey's General Directorate of Highways (KGM or Karayollari Genel Müdürlügü), is ordering power, lighting and ventilation equipment from Siemens for a major tunnel project. The Dorukhan Tunnel linking Mengen and Devrek will be equipped with the package from Siemens, which includes associated safety and communications systems. The size of the deal has not been released and the handover of the new system is scheduled for January 2012.

As part of the New Hungary Development Plan, NNG has developed a new, automotive line-fit navigation solution based on the iGO My way engine. The company, which was awarded an EU subsidy for the 18-month development project, has now delivered its first line-fit navigation product to a market-leading global motor-vehicle Tier 1 supplier.

AeroVironment has been selected by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODoT) to install its high-power Level 3 electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations along the I-5 corridor from the California state line to the Willamette Valley. This is the beginning of the “Green Highway,” a vision for safe and consistent charging infrastructure spanning the West Coast, allowing EV drivers to travel with confidence from San Diego to Vancouver in Canada.

The UK’s Highways Agency (HA) has turned to international logistics specialist Norbert Dentressangle to handle, store and distribute variable message signs for the UK motorway network. Previously, the HA paid manufacturers to store its signs but, under the new arrangement, it will benefit from consolidating all the stock at Norbert Dentressangle’s Telford site. The company will also be responsible for the phased migration of product from manufacturer sites in Gatwick, Aylesbury and Newcastle Upon Tyne.

AC Desarrollo, the capital risk firm of Ahorro Corporacion, purchased a 21.3% stake in the Spanish firm Postigo, that specialises in road safety equipment, signalling and other traffic elements. The aim is to increase the stake to 31%, and the operation was performed through a capital increase. Postigo reported a turnover of EUR 72 million (US$103.22 million) in 2010.

Honeywell has signed a definitive agreement to acquire EMS Technologies, a provider of connectivity solutions for mobile networking, rugged mobile computers, and satellite communications, for approximately $491 million. Honeywell says the acquisition will enhance its existing capabilities in rugged mobile computing technologies and satellite communications within its Automation and Control Solutions (ACS) and Aerospace businesses.

The results of the latest traffic study from TomTom are in, revealing some of the most congested hotspots in Europe. Brussels is still topping the chart as the most congested city in Europe and congestion in the Belgian Capital is getting worse, showing a 1.2% increase in traffic since 2010.

The Italian region of Lazio is to take part in the European Community's Pilot4Safety road safety pilot scheme. The regional authorities will apply European guidelines when managing the rural road network that will include analysing current safety levels, carrying out inspections and performing project management work. The results of the scheme will be pooled to improve expert safety training at an experimental level.