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A new partnership between Australia’s National Transport Commission (NTC) and Austroads will have a strong focus on the introduction of cooperative intelligent transport systems (C-ITS). The two associations have signed an agreement to work together on road transport issues such as research, policy development, implementation and operational matters.

Responding to the announcement by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) regarding its decision of the change to track access charges for 2014-2019, the FTA has said that “there is still the need for better understanding of the rail freight market and the expectations of existing and potential new customers”, and believes that the ORR's final determination which will increase freight rates by 21 per cent over the control period, four per cent per year will be a major set-back for promoting future growth for th

In an effort to protect road users from rock slides and falling snow and ice, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has awarded a contract to Veidekke Entreprenoer to build a tunnel and a new landslide-safe road past Haukanesberget on county road 7, the most landslide-prone road in the region.

The Brazilian government is to invest US$1.46 billion in the construction of the metro project in Curitiba, Parana, as part of the accelerated growth program for mobility, bringing the total investment in transportation to US$2.4 billion. The city will also receive US$408 million to expand the bus rapid transit system by an additional 32 kilometres, plus US$87 million for the construction of bus lanes and further bus rapid transit expansion projects.

The World Bank has approved a US$500 million loan for the National Highways Interconnectivity Improvement Project in India to improve the national highway network’s connectivity with economically deprived and remote areas. The project will focus on three low-income states, Rajasthan, Bihar and Orissa, and on less developed regions in Karnataka and West Bengal.

A fire in the third-bore of the Caldecott tunnel that killed seven in 1982 led to changes to standards for new tunnels, including the new fourth bore which is due to open later this month.

A section of the M6 motorway in the UK between junctions 10a and 13 is to be upgraded to a smart (managed) motorway with all-lane running. This section of the motorway is a major strategic route, carrying around 120,000 vehicles per day.

The government in Buenos Aires, Argentina, has announced a proposed infrastructure investment of US$10.10 billion for 2014, to include expanding the city’s underground railway system and the acquisition of new equipment and trains, as well as expansion of the Metrobus public transport system and additional cycle lanes. New subway stations will also be constructed, while roads and pavements will be repaired and the downtown area will be pedestrianised.

Norwegian company NCC is to construct the new Birkelandskrysset traffic hub in Bergen. The US$76 million contract with traffic company Bybanen Utbygging comprises a new tramway bridge, pedestrian and bicycle roads, a public transport terminal and a car park. “The tramway is a visionary public transport initiative in Bergen. We are delighted to be part of a major new project for a sustainable Bergen,” says NCC district manager Henning Simonsen.

Work has begun on a US$130.8 million major upgrade to the Bruce Highway to increase the route’s capacity in north Queensland. The upgrade will increase seven kilometres of highway from two lanes to four lanes, with major works to be carried out on the intersections at Hunter Street, Abbott Street, Lakeside Drive and Stuart Drive. Federal MP George Christensen says a four lane overpass of the rail line at Cluden will be built to separate traffic from the existing open level crossing to improve safety on

A wireless automatic vehicle identification (AVI) recently installed for public transportation provider Veolia in Sweden enables the company to control access to its gated dedicated motorway ramp. The Idesco system, installed by access control and security system supplier, GPP Perimeter Protection, includes passive windscreen tags on the buses, RFID readers and a bus gate controller to enable bus drivers to access the ramp without stopping to open the gate and prevents access by unauthorised drivers.

profitability in the third quarter. Revenue increased 10 per cent to US$28.6 million, with operating profit of US$8.4 million and a profit before tax of US$1.2 million. This compares to a negative operating result of US$3.9 million and a loss before tax of US$3.7 million in the third quarter 2012. Q-Free has also strengthened its efforts in advanced transportation management systems (ATMS) through an investment in the American traffic management company Intelight in Tucson, Arizona, and acquisition of th

Kapsch TrafficCom North America (Kapsch) is to maintain the toll collection software for the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The two-year contract, awarded by the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District, covers all toll lane software. The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District operates the Golden Gate Bridge and two public transit systems: Golden Gate Transit buses and Golden Gate Ferry. Last year, 38 million vehicles crossed the bridge and over 9 million cust

The winners of the prestigious SESAMES Awards will be announced at the CARTES Secure Connexions Event in November, revealing the 11 most innovative companies from the industry. The scheme has been rewarding the best technological innovations in smart cards, digital security, identification, secure transactions and contactless since 1995. Entries for the SESAMES rocketed this year with 319 submissions. The 42 jury members, all international experts in their field, chose the 34 finalists and will go on to c

JUSP has launched an all-in-one chip-and-pin mPOS solution for smartphones and tablets, which the manufacturer says has a lower price (¤39 per unit) and smaller transaction fee (2.5%) than other such products. It is also the only one of its kind that connects directly into a smartphone or tablet audio jack using its proprietary, patent pending technology, JUSP says, and works with the highly secure credit and debit cards in all countries outside the US. It means merchants can make payment transactio

APS Group, a global specialist designer and manufacturer of thermal printer mechanisms and controller boards will be showcasing the World's smallest thermal printer at CARTES 2013. The group's 'super small' SS 205-V4 thermal printer, measures just 68mm wide, 24mm deep and 26mm high, weighing in at only 26 grammes but with a print speed of 110mm per second. APS says further features include new printhead technology, which offers sharper, clearer printouts as well as an easy paper loading and door opening s

The Mobile Payment and Smart Shopping areas at November’s CARTES Secure Connexions Event will focus on innovations and advanced technologies in mobile payments – while a conference entitled “Your future is mobile: Trust it!” will be chaired by Sirpa Nordlund, Executive Director of Mobey Forum, and will highlight the latest developments. Things are moving fast: the speed and scale of the mobile revolution has exceeded most expectations and the numbers speak for themselves: almost half the world’s population

A group of Austria's leading banks, card payment providers and related companies have joined forces to create the Austria Card 'Wallet Initiative' in order to create an open, nationwide standard for mobile wallets. The aim of the standard is to help consumers make contactless payments with their mobile phones via a mobile card as well as enabling them to use special offers by simply tapping their phone at the checkout, in much the same way they would use loyalty cards, vouchers, and coupons.

Oberthur Technologies has split its booth at CARTES into five ‘ecosystems’, each representing a different part of the company’s offering. Designed to give visitors practical insight into several key issues, they are: • Smart Transactions, where visitors can look at issues around enrolment, card personalisation, issuance and shopping, and learn about migrating to EMV ; • Mobile Financial Services will feature a smart shopping wall, illustrating how cutting-edge payments, loyalty programmes and coupons – all

Electronic money, payment systems and financial markets software provider TAS Group will officially reveal its new Card 3.0 platform at CARTES 2013. The modular card management platform enables financial institutions to design, issue and manage payment cards and other digital products quickly and securely.