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The sheer range of variables makes it difficult to find a single algorithm to ensure a 100% standard of ANPR. David Crawford investigates new processing technology. Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), using optical character recognition and image-processing to identify vehicles, plays key roles in traffic monitoring and law enforcement, access and parking control, electronic toll collection, vehicle security and crime deterrence. Overall, system performance is well rated, with high levels of

Drivers are being monitored in Canada as part of a partnership to encourage safer driving. Insurance firm Intact Financial says telematics provider TrueMotion’s mobile platform will help it measure the behaviour of drivers who are covered by its policies. The idea is to encourage safe driving habits. The project involves collecting data from 430,000 clients’ smart phones, or form devices in their car. Intact will use the information it gathers from the opt-in scheme to offer cheaper premiums to drivers

Construction firm Eurovia is to build a cycle bridge connecting key sites in Nottingham city centre. The project’s stated aim is to reduce congestion and provide an easier travelling experience. The bridge will be reachable by a cycleway and footpath offering links from the Boots site – part of the Nottingham Enterprise Zone - to Nottingham Science Park and University Boulevard, where it will also join up with the Western Cycle Corridor. It will also provide access to tram and bus services via a 50m

Software provider Teletrac Navman has added a safety analytics module to its Director platform to help fleet managers track driver behaviour and implement safe driving practices. The solution’s integrated event viewer allows users to simultaneously view driving event replays and unsafe behaviours on Google Maps, using GPS data and dashboard camera footage.

A key UK safety body is calling for legislative action on European Commission vehicle safety proposals. The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) wants the EC’s third mobility package to be adopted by the UK government. These measures are part of the Juncker Commission’s initiative to implement less polluting vehicles in Europe and provide more advanced technological solutions. This package outlines a new road safety policy framework for 2020-2030 and is accompanied by two legislativ

The integrity and accuracy of data that can be verified by weigh-in-motion technology has been improving for decades – and the range of WIM applications is increasing at a tremendous pace. Chris Koniditsiotis, president of the International Society for Weigh-in-Motion (ISWIM) and CEO of Transport Certification Australia (TCA), began his career in 1985 as a pavements engineer. “When I joined this portfolio, the integrity, accuracy, and sampling frequency of mass information delivered at best an estimate, us

Smoothing the path to connected transportation systems in urban areas all round the world takes a lot of planning: Cisco’s Kyle Connor lays out the four key areas on which he thinks cities should focus. Forward-thinking cities around the world are exploring innovative, new ways to leverage the Internet of Things (IoT) and related technologies to create more connected and efficient transportation systems. Through greater digitisation and connectivity, cities can optimise public transit routes, reduce

Automotive supplier Denso has released a retrofittable driver status monitor in Japan that detects distractions and drowsiness to reduce accidents involving commercial vehicles. The platform carries out checks based on a driver’s facial image, which is captured through a camera installed in the cabin. Denso’s monitor voices an alert if the driver is not paying attention or is seated inappropriately. The driver’s condition is recorded on a secure digital (SD) card. An operation manager can view the nu

The Government of Canada will invest CAN$39m to improve a railway crossing in Edmonton which it claims will reduce congestion and travel times into the city. The crossing, located at 50th Street, will have a new underpass beneath the existing railway crossing north of the Sherwood Park Freeway. In addition, two new traffic lanes will be added to the current four in operation. The intersection at 82 Avenue and 50th Street will be reconstructed to maintain connections between local residential neighbourhoo

German mobility start-up Flixbus is entering the US on 31 May to provide cheap bus services to passengers in Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson. The FlixMobility subsidiary intends to offer 1,000 daily connections in the US by the end of 2018. FlixBus manages the technology, ticketing, customer service, network planning, marketing and sales while its local partners operate the vehicles. For the first phase, 180 FlixBus connections will be operated by six regional bus companies.

Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) has chosen Init to install its next-generation fare system. The solution is intended to offer passengers more convenient fare options and allow them to manage their account transactions and balances. Through the agreement, Init will implement its smart fare validators on approximately 270 vehicles and will install eight ticket vending machines (TVMs). The fare will be available across MTA’s fixed route buses and its AccessRide paratransit vans. Init’s back-of

TE Connectivity is unveiling its AMP+ HVA 1200 high-voltage terminal and connector system at Battery Show Europe in Hannover, Germany. The platform, which will launch later this year, is among a number of products on display which the connectivity and sensor company claims will drive green mobility and the supporting infrastructure. TE is also showcasing its next-generation AMP+ charging cables and inlets as well as its EVC 80 main contractor, designed for lower current applications.

Enforcement officers in the Philippines are using body cameras to improve traffic safety. Digital Barriers' bodyworn devices send live streaming footage back to a control centre to enable faster response times for road accidents and emergencies in the City of Makati, part of the Manila metropolitan area. The company's EdgeVis Live solution is powering the live-streaming capability. Digital Barriers claims the platform creates live streaming from any location, including over wireless networks. The bodywor

Oxford City Council in the UK is trialling technology start-up Urban Electric Networks’ pop-up charge point in a £600,000 initiative to encourage UK residents to make the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). Urban Electric says its UEone is a charging solution for households who have to park cars on-street in residential parking zones. The project is co-funded by Innovate UK, following a successful £474,000 bid led by Urban Electric.

It’s one minute to midnight for funding England’s roads, according to a timely new report - and the clock’s big hand is pointing to some form of user-pay solution, reports David Arminas. Is there any way out of future user-pay funding for England’s highway infrastructure? The answer is a resounding ‘no’, according to the recently-published report Funding Roads for the Future. The 25-page document by the London-based Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) calls for a radical rethink about how to

Manfred Swarovski, founder and CEO of Swarco, has passed away at the age of 77. The company’s executive board confirmed that he died on 13 May. Swarco says it has lost a mastermind who managed to bring his group of companies to world renown in the field of road safety and intelligent traffic management over nearly half a century. The company expressed condolences to Swarovski’s wife Elisabeth, sons Alexander, Philipp and Manfred, and to his brothers and sisters. Swarovski had planned his succession by

Image Sensing Systems (ISS) has appointed Andrew Markese as vice president of global sales and marketing, with a remit to increase revenue. Markese will report to Chad Stelzig, the company’s president and chief executive officer. Markese was previously vice president of sales and marketing at software company Vnomics. He has also held a range of positions at products provider Ultralife - including vice president of global sales for the battery and energy products division and director of sales for the

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland says it is one step closer to creating a safe automated vehicle through upgrades made to its Marilyn robot car. The vehicle can now see through foggy and snowy conditions, navigating without stopping. Additionally, VTT says, the car can see humans through fog and avoid accidents automatically. Marilyn now has light imaging, detection, and ranging (Lidar) mounted on its roof, which the company claims enables it to see wavelengths beyond the human senses.

Motor Coach Industries (MCI), a subsidiary of bus maker New Flyer, will deploy 182 commuter coaches to New Jersey transportation company NJ Transit for the third year of a six-year agreement. MCI says the fleet will provide a safe, reliable and cost-effective service to passengers. The order for MCI’s clean diesel coaches was valued $93m. Each vehicle has 57 seats, Wi-Fi availability and seatbelts. Production of the new coaches will begin in September.

Canada The governments of Canada and Quebec will invest nearly $27m in 14 projects being carried out by Société de Transport de Laval (STL) to improve the city’s public transit infrastructure. These initiatives will be carried out under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund. Canada will provide $14.9m while Quebec will contribute $11.9m. The funding will be used to install equipment for the first roll-out of a fully-electric bus line and add new technologies to streamline boarding for passengers.