European Commission: tighter rules for safer/cleaner cars
The European Commission (EC), European Parliament and the Council have reached a political agreement on the commission proposal from January 2016 to raise the quality level and independence of type-approval and testing before a car is placed on the market. It would enable the EC to be able to initiate EU-wide recalls and impose penalties on manufacturers or technical services of up to €30,000 (£26,000) per non-compliant car.
Addnode acquires InPort to provide logistics solutions
To strengthen its position as a provider of logistics solutions for ports, Addnode Group has acquired software company InPort Intelligent Port Systems AB (InPort). Upon completion of the deal, InPort will be integrated into Addnode’s Group’s Process Management Division, on 2 January 2018. Andreas Wikholm, president for Addnode Group Process Management, said: “Our ports play a societal role in view of its importance for modern sustainable logistics chains and a well-functioning import and export business.
WSP wins Caltrans Excellence in Transportation Award 2017
Engineering Consultancy WSP won a Caltrans Excellence in Transportation Award 2017, following a partnership with the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Scoop's app to develop a carpool program in the San Francisco Bay area, on behalf of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). It provided parking spaces until 10 am for commuters carpooling to select the BART station via the app. The program developed campaigns to build public awareness and increase carpooling behaviour, including short-term
Colorado governor announces Connected and Autonomous vehicles day
Colorado’s governor Jon Hickenlooper declared 4 December as Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Day following a visit with civic leaders and corporate executives to an autonomous vehicle (AV) technology demonstration at Panasonic’s Denver facility. Through a new partnership it plans to deploy AV technology next to the building, in Spring 2018. The event also featured EasyMile’s autonomous shuttle inaugural journey to Peña Station as well as the opening of its new North American headquarters.
Speak up for Transportation
Transportation is often blamed for many of the world’s ills and some of it is undeniable, such as 1.2 million road deaths a year or poor urban air quality shortening the lives of those with heart or lung problems. However, every incident has many contributing factors. Sometimes transport may indeed be the biggest contributor – but it is almost always the easiest target because it is always simpler to blame machines than people.
Call for Contributions still open, ITS World Congress 2018
The Call for Contributions are still open for the ITS World Congress 2018, in Copenhagen. Through ITS, it aims to find answers to climate, air pollution, urbanization, congestion, and traffic safety through its main theme Quality of Life. The deadline for the submission of papers is 15 December 2017. Next year’s event is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors, 4,000 delegates and 400 exhibitors and will be held in the Bella Center from 12-21 September 2018. More information in the Call for Contribution
A Change of Perspective
Today’s legislators and the public sector in general are often berated for holding back innovation, for delaying the introduction of new products or services and being too slow in revising legislation. In the transport sector, Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is perhaps the ultimate disrupter as it cuts across all travel modes and to make it work will require legislative changes, the cooperation of all transport operators and the release of certain data.
Impark deploys hangtag at parking facilities, Canada
Imperial Parking Canada Corporation (Impark) has deployed its hangTag app at parking facilities which is said to allow parkers to locate facilities on a map, view lot details, get driving directions, and pay without going to the meter. It also provides an early notification when a session is about to expire, allowing users to extend time from their phone. Impark plans to expand the service through its operations in the U.S. and has over 860 locations across Canada. The app is currently available for use
Netradyne launches advanced driver assistance system, India
Provider of artificial intelligence and IoT systems Netradyne has launched its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) solution to help fleet managers recognize positive driver performance and enhance driver safety for commercial vehicles, in India. Called Driveri, the four-camera, vision-based system is mounted on the vehicle windscreen and provides real-time audio alerts to the driver when a vehicle collision is imminent. Driveri also monitors and alerts the driver for drowsiness or inattention and is
Inrix launches Inrix Safety Alerts to help reduce collisions
Transportation analytics supplier Inrix has launched Inrix Safety Alerts, a new product suite incorporating Inrix Dangerous Slowdowns, Inrix Incidents and Inrix Road Weather that uses real-time data from vehicles and range of other sources to inform drivers and a transportation agencies and help reduce incidents.
Sony launches new CMOS sensor for automotive cameras
Sony’s new 2.45 (effective) megapixel CMOS image sensor, the IMX390CQV type 1/2.7, is equipped with an LED flicker mitigation function that reduces flickering when shooting LED signs and traffic signals, as well as an HDR function capable of 120 dB wide dynamic range shooting. The sensor also offers high-sensitivity performance capable of producing high-quality colour images even in very low light conditions.
ComNet enters access control market
US-based transmission and networking equipment manufacturer ComNet is to enter the access-control market with the introduction of two systems in the CNAccess range; the CNA100, a two to eight door solution for smaller applications and the CNA200 for up to 32 doors for bigger applications.
Bestpass launches leased equipment toll management solution
Bestpass’s Leased Equipment Toll Solution (LETS) offers a customisable toll management service for US equipment leasing companies that includes all classes of vehicles.
ISS launches DeepBlue traffic monitoring sensor
The DeepBlue sensor range from US-based Image Sensing Systems offers a simple to deploy solution for traffic monitoring.
Suitable for obtaining online travel time information and origin/destination information for improved infrastructure planning, the auto-configured, easy-to-install, side-fire sensor detects the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi signals from vehicles including hands-free sets, mobile phones and navigation systems.
Gardasoft’s new LED strobes offer illumination for ITS applications
LED lighting specialist Gardasoft Vision’s VTR LED strobes provide illumination for intelligent traffic monitoring solutions such as ANPR (automatic number plate recognition), red light violation, open road tolling, multi-occupancy tolling and weigh-in motion systems.
Italy spells out transport priorities
TTS Italia has welcomed the official approval of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport’s new policy document ‘To connect Italy: needs and infrastructural projects’, which identifies a work programme extending until 2030. Major policy themes highlight roles for shared infrastructures and modal integration while for cities, the focus is on sustainable and shared mobility, and rapid mass transport.
Intercontinental ITS boosted by recent visits
Ertico-ITS Europe is actively building stronger links with ITS Japan, whose president, Hajime Amano, led a delegation to Brussels last month.
Amano updated his hosts on the progress of the development of ITS technologies in support of Japan’s Active Ageing programme, which is responding to the needs of a population with the world’s highest proportion of older adults by introducing innovative community support systems. Recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear plant disasters have also highlighted the need to
Canada’s ITS sector looks to boost exports
A mission to Hong Kong and Shenzhen in China marks the start of a series of export visits planned within ITS Canada’s new International Business Development (IBD) strategy, the only one open to all members, including SMEs, across the country’s transportation industry.
Groupe PSA and Nidec to develop automotive electric traction motor
Groupe PSA and Nidec, through Nidec Leroy-Somer Holding, has entered into a joint venture to launch and sell a range of efficient traction machines to meet the needs of OEMs shifting towards electrified vehicle technologies. The electric traction powertrain's main components will be designed and produced in France.
SenseTime and Honda partner to accelerate R&D of smart AI Cars
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) company SenseTime (ST) has signed a long-term agreement that will combine its AI algorithms with Honda’s vehicle control system to build autonomous smart AI cars. The partnership is expected to accelerate the research and development of these vehicles. The autonomous driving solution is said to provide advantages to a variety of passenger vehicle scenarios and lower transducer manufacturing costs. In addition, ST has also developed chips and embedded systems for the car