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US Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are using smart technology to warn civil engineers when something is wrong with the infrastructure, says the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Association (AASHTO). Sensors installed on bridges, in roadways, and on maintenance vehicles are communicating real-time performance and weather data, allowing engineers to solve problems before they occur. "Most people look at a road or a bridge and never realise the technology that today's modern tra

Digital camera manufacturer Basler has made changes to its management board to prepare the company for planned future growth, by the board to four members from 1 January 2014. On January 1, 2014, the management board will be expanded from three members to four members and the allocation of management board departments will be adjusted to future needs. Hardy Mehl, as CFO/COO, will lead the company together with the chairman of the board, Dr Dietmar Ley and management board members Arndt Bake and John Jen

Towns and cities in England are set to benefit from US$7.7 million of funding to reduce pollution from local buses, Local Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced. A total of eleven local authorities have been awarded grants from the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Clean Bus Technology Fund, which will allow almost 400 buses to be upgraded.

Nissan has unveiled an IT system for light commercial vehicles that harnesses the power of smartphones to provide safety and performance data to both drivers and fleet managers in real time. By using the service, fleet managers will be able to cut down on running costs by remotely monitoring maintenance information, as well as the driving behaviour of their staff, while the vehicles are on the road. Drivers will also receive real-time information to help them operate their vehicles more safely.

An electric cargo bike, the 2x4 (two by four), developed by California-based NTS Works, can carry large objects into tight urban centres and other locations where deliveries by full-size vehicles can be difficult and costly, according to the company. The lightweight, compact 2x4 is only slightly larger than a conventional cycle and has a flat cargo bed in front that can hold up to eight grocery bags. An electric motor assists the rider when pedalling and is adjustable via a handlebar mounted display so

The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in Ontario, Canada, where collisions with wild animals cost the province more than US$95 million annually, has installed wildlife sensor and alert systems to reduce the number of animal-vehicle collisions on its highways. The MTO has installed two types of systems – one uses laser tripwires to detect animals and the other uses radar, an alternative that was found to address some of the challenges posed by laser systems. Neither system has yet been determined to be

Ecuador’s Municipal Public Transport Company of Guayaquil (EPMTG), which was created to manage traffic and pedestrian access routes in the Ecuadorian city, is to implement an intelligent transportation system (ITS) from January 2014. A traffic management centre will monitor the city’s 350,000 vehicles using cameras, photo radar, traffic signals and variable message signs. Around 1,500 intelligent traffic lights will be connected to 150 cameras. An international tender to implement the system was laun

Honda has demonstrated its experimental vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) and vehicle-to-motorcycle (V2M) technologies, aimed at reducing the potential for collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and between automobiles and motorcycles. The vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) technology uses a car equipped with dedicated short range communications (DSRC) technology to detect a pedestrian with a DSRC-enabled Smartphone and provides auditory and visual warnings to both the pedestrian and drivers. According to Ho

The University of Alabama has installed Nedap’s uPass Reach long range UHF readers in a bid to improve traffic flow at its parking facilities for its over 33,000 students and employees. Due to the nature of class scheduling, the university experienced a large rush hour coinciding with class times and needed a solution that could improve parking throughput without sacrificing the security of their facilities or the oversight of their pay-for-parking registration system. Mississippi-based Access Control

According to a new study by ABI research, the first driverless vehicles will appear in North America in the beginning of the next decade, evolving to more than 10 million robotic vehicles shipping in 2032. “While the technological feasibility of autonomous vehicles is being demonstrated by Google, Audi, Volvo, Bosch, and Continental, obstacles such as high costs and lack of legislation remain. On the other hand, the benefits of autonomous vehicles in terms of safety, cost savings, efficiency, and posit

Transportation officials in the Dallas area are to introduce an Integrated Corridor Management (ICM) along the 28-mile US 75 from the city to its northern suburbs. ICM works by collecting data about traffic conditions, then sending it through software that can analyse the data and help operators select the best strategies for managing it. A web interface ensures all the relevant agencies working on the corridor are aware of what is happening. Commuters will be advised of the situation via a new website

Siemens has completed the supply and installation of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in twelve London Underground car parks across the capital for UK Power Network Services. The new network of sixty Siemens AC intelligent charge posts is fully integrated into Source London, the UK's largest electric vehicle membership scheme, with over 1,300 charge points. The charge points are supported by associated services including management, operation and maintenance and the supply of charging post m

The contracts for the design and construction of Riyadh’s new US$22.5 billion metro system, the next major step in the development of the largest public transport project in the world - the Riyadh Public Transport Project. The Project encompasses a city-wide metro, bus network, and park and ride services. The Arriyadh Development Authority (ADA) has announced that Riyadh Metro Transit Consultants (RMTC), a joint venture between US firm Parsons and French firms Egis and Systra, has been awarded the first

The Eutrain (European Transport Research Area International) conference on international co-operation in transport research is aimed at gathering European and global scientific, policy making and business communities to discuss themes and instruments for the promotion of future international cooperation in the field of transport research. The conference takes place in Brussels on 9 and 10 October and is organised within the framework of the Eutrain project, an FP7 project funded by the European Commissio

Research organisation GFK recently released the results of a 2013 survey on electric vehicles (EVs) that focused on consumer attitudes in six different countries. The research found that the strongest market opportunities lie in Japan and Russia where three-quarters or more of those responding had a favourable impression of electric vehicles. Spain comes in third with two-thirds having a favourable opinion. Researchers placed the US in fifth position, with only 36 per cent holding a favourable impressio

The California High-Speed Rail project, which aims to connect the mega-regions of the state, contribute to economic development and a cleaner environment, create jobs and preserve agricultural and protected lands, was dealt a serious blow when Judge Michael Kenny of the Sacramento Superior Court ruled that the California High-Speed Rail Authority "abused its discretion by approving a funding plan that did not comply with the requirements of the law."

The latest infotainment platform from automotive supplier Continental provides the integration of driver assistance functions with a camera system offering 360-degree surround view, Continental’s first application linking driver assistance and infotainment. Depending on the size of the vehicle, the system consists of at least four of Continental's surround view cameras, which capture the entire area around the vehicle. The system also delivers location-based services with Nokia's 3D navigation platform H

School districts in North Carolina are using new wireless technology to monitor bus driver actions in real time, to provide information about their school buses, improving student safety and creating real time information for parents and administrators. The technology enables school district officials to see detailed information for each bus in their fleet and receive alerts to ensure drivers travel at safe speeds and stop at rail crossings. Every time the bus stops and opens its doors, information is se

ITS America has selected Montreal, Canada, as the site of the 2017 World Congress on intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Pat McGowan, an ITS America board member and president of Schneider Electric Transportation, who chaired the selection committee said: "The level of interest was high and the three finalists — Montreal, Los Angeles and Vancouver — all had very strong submissions," said McGowan. "We are pleased to recommend Montreal as host, given its high level of civic support, the opportunity t

Arcontia International, Swedish producer of contactless smart card products and solutions for automatic fare collection (AFC) has been acquired by Lecip Holdings Corporation, a Japan-based manufacturer of products and solutions for the bus, train and automotive industry. The acquisition will enable Lecip to expand its range of public transport products and solutions and further strengthen its strategy to become a leading supplier in integrated AFC systems and Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).