Belarus toll system expanded
The BelToll electronic toll collection system, implemented and operated by Kapsch TrafficCom in Belarus, Serbia, was expanded by another 256 kilometres at the beginning of August, just one year after its commissioning in 2013. The system, which was also expanded by 815 kilometres in January 2014, is now 1,189 kilometres long; according to Kapsch TraffiCom, the number of registered vehicles has more than trebled since the system was put into operation, increasing from 60,000 to 190,000 vehicles.
Strabag consortium to build section of S5 expressway in Poland
A consortium consisting of Strabag subsidiary Heilit+Woerner and Budimex is to build a 48 kilometre section of the S5 expressway between Poznań and Wrocław in Poland. Work on the US$185 million project is due to begin in around four weeks and is expected to last 30 months. Completion and commissioning of the new section are scheduled for 2017.
CRASH aids crash reduction
Announcing a decrease in traffic fatalities in Tennessee, US, earlier this year, the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security indicated preliminary figures of 988 traffic fatalities in 2013, a 2.7 per cent decrease compared to 2012, when there were 1,015 traffic fatalities. At the same time, Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Colonel Tracy Trott said: “In 2014, we will employ a predictive analytics model to look even more closely at where traffic crashes are most likely to occur and deploy our res
Report urges US$25 billion transport improvement plan
The One North report, produced by the city regions of Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield in the UK, puts forward a strategic proposition for transport in the north of the country. The US$16.8-US$25.2 billion plan urges major changes in connectivity and capacity between the northern cities over the next 15 years and proposes optimisation of strategic highway capacity, a new high speed trans-Pennine rail route and improved city region rail networks interconnected with HS2 services, new inte
German-Italian consortium to build Denmark’s first LRT system
Aarhus Light Rail has awarded the Italian-German consortium of Ansaldo STS and Stadler Pankow a contract for the delivery of a complete light rail transit system for Aarhus, the second largest city in Denmark. The order consists of both rolling stock and infrastructure for what will become the first light rail transit system in Denmark. Train manufacturer Stadler will deliver the rolling stock split on trams of the Variobahn type and tram-trains of the Tango type designed for speeds of 80 and 100 km/h respe
Arizona DOT renews Skyline Products’ DMS contract
Skyline Products announced it has renewed its state-wide contract with Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and will continue to be the provider for ADOT dynamic message signs (DMS), both full colour and amber. The contract includes LED DMS in full colour and amber for maximum flexibility. The full colour DMS allows for more complex messaging including graphics, while amber LED DMS is most commonly used for text messages, tolling, and travel time messaging.
Fujifilm launches new security camera lens
Said to be the first Fujinon varifocal lens that offers advanced optical performance for compatibility with 6 megapixel (4K) high resolution security cameras Fujifilm Europe’s new Fujinon DV2.2x4.1SR4A varifocal lens will be on display at this years´ Security Essen.
Moxa demonstrates obsolescence management of train network refurbishments
Moxa is taking advantage of the Innotrans 2014 exhibition in Berlin to showcase its new products and technologies its ToughNet series of EN 50155 compliant managed Ethernet switches which support Moxa´s new technology dynamic ring coupling that enables the speedy and automated configuration of Ethernet Switches aboard trains when consists are rearranged in mid-journey. It also guarantees inter-consist network recovery in less than one second, and even faster intra-consist recovery in 20 milliseconds.
NHTSA looking at alcohol detection technology
Speaking at a Management Briefing Seminar at the Traverse City Conference in Michigan, US, Nat Beuse, associate administrator for vehicle safety research at the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said alcohol detection technology is one of several his agency is studying to lower traffic fatalities.
EBRD funds new transport master planning standards for Romania
In July 2014, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) awarded funds of around US$1.8 million for the development of sustainable mobility master plans in Romania. The EBRD is the largest institutional investor in Romania. To date, the Bank has invested US$8.9 billion across 364 projects in diverse sectors including industry, commerce, agribusiness, infrastructure, energy and finance.
Investment bank joins World Congress investor matching event
Middle market investment bank Raymond James has joined Fontinalis Partners and Econolite Group to sponsor for the Transportation for Tomorrow Investor Matching Event at this year’s ITS World Congress. This event is a rare opportunity for dynamic companies with cutting-edge technologies and ideas in the fields of mobility, sustainability, and transportation safety to meet with premier financial and strategic investment groups with the capital that could allow them to take their innovations to the next level.
World ITS market expected to grow at a steady rate to 2020
The global market for intelligent transportation systems (ITS) is expected to reach US$38.68 billion by 2020, according to a new study by Grand View Research. Growing demand for optimising fuel consumption and reducing emissions is expected to be the key driving force for the market. ITS aids in reducing incidents such as road accidents and boost safety, which is estimated to positively impact demand over the next six years.
A431 temporary toll road opens
A temporary toll road linking Kelston with Bath in Somerset, UK, has opened. Local businessman Mike Watts set up Kelston toll Road Limited to build the 400 metre road, enabling traffic to negotiate the A431 Kelston Road, which has been closed since February because of a landslide. It has cost Kelston Toll Road £150,000 to build the road and Mr Watts estimates it will cost another £150,000 to run the toll road for five months. He plans to charge motorists £2 each way to use the road, which will need to attra
New regional director for PB
Parsons Brinckerhoff has appointed Tim Cuthbert as its regional director for the UK Transportation business, part of the Highways, Transportation and Asset Management business, where he will help drive market development in the both public and private sectors.
Siemens wins major UK orders
Siemens has been successful in winning major orders in Somerset and Wales in the UK. A significant order has been placed by Carillion on behalf of Somerset County Council for a range of ELV traffic control equipment required for a new road under construction in Taunton.
HeERO International Conference
The third HeERO international conference will be held in Madrid, Spain, on 27 November 2014 and will provide insight into the status of eCall deployment in the HeERO1 and HeERO2 pilot sites including: eCall for trucks; powered two-wheeled eCall; filtering instance for PSAP; and the outcome of interoperability testing, together with an update on standards and certification for eCall and the recommendations for the large scale implementation of the eCall service in Europe.
The event will be hosted at the H
Barnshaws’ curved steel post aids motorway traffic flow
UK company Barnshaws Metal Bending is supplying curved steel posts as part of a motorway sign designed to improve traffic flow on the UK’s new smart motorways.
Smart motorways enable the hard shoulder to be used at peak times, creating a temporary fourth lane. Variable message signs (MS4) attached to the curved tubular steel post developed by Barnshaws display information for motorists, including when the hard shoulder is available for use.
The design has resulted in faster installation of the signs
Santiago issues tender for number six metro line
Chile's Metro de Santiago has called an international tender for the acquisition of lighting systems and their installation in the city's new number 6 line.
According to tender documents, rights to participate can be purchased until 29 July. Technical and economic bids are due on 3 October. Technical proposals will be opened the same day, while bids will be unveiled on 24 October.
The line is a US$1.06 billion project that will run 15.3 kilometres across the capital from centrally located Providencia
Galileo commercial service on track
The results of early proof of concept tests (EPOC) carried out by the Authentication and Accurate Location Experimentation with the Commercial Service (AALECS) show that the EPOC team has successfully tracked the encrypted Galileo E6-B and E6-C signals broadcast by Galileo satellites. As a result, the commercial service loop has been closed using both encrypted and non-encrypted signals.
The tests are the result of a collective effort involving teams and projects of AALECS, supported by the European Comm
Third eCall testfest
The third eCall testfest event, organised by Ertico-ITS Europe and ETSI, will be held from 27 to 31 October 2014 in Vigo, Spain. This event will be hosted by CTAG in cooperation with CETECOM.
The eCall testfest event enables vendors to run interoperability test sessions using test descriptions provided in approved guidelines. The event will bring more value with the debriefing sessions where experts can answer technical questions or solve interoperability issues. Additionally, compliancy and performance