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Siemens is to supply the IT and communication technology for Hong Kong's East-West Line. The order, worth around US$39.92 million, from local metro operator MTR Corporation, includes the supply of the station management system, which controls and monitors functions such as emergency call points, traction power supply, tunnel ventilation, overhead line fire detection, passenger information systems and escalators. Hong Kong's East-West Line is being created by connecting the West Rail Line to the Ma On Shan L

Cubic Transportation Systems has voiced its opposition to the proposed cuts in pre-tax benefits for the Transit Benefit Program available to citizens who use public transportation. Within the Senate Finance Committee, Senators are considering reducing the pre-tax benefit to individuals using public transportation from its current US$245 per month to US$125 per month, close to a 50 per cent cut. Cubic believes it is in the Committee’s best interest to maintain the current transit benefit since promoting pub

One in twenty UK adults was involved in a road accident in 2012, according to road safety charity, Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Using information from the National Travel Survey published by the Department for Transport it shows that 5.2 per cent of the population admit to having been involved in an accident, meaning that 2.4 million people were involved in a road crash last year, with around 800,000 actually injured. In the vast majority of these crashes those involved were car occupants. Figure

BMW i continues with its introduction of customer-friendly electro-mobility services in the UK, forming a partnership with Schneider Electric, which will see Schneider Electric become not only the manufacturer of the BMW i wall box, but also the recommended installer. Schneider Electric will work closely with the BMW i sales agents and customers, providing home surveys, supply and installation of the charging point, as well as offering maintenance and comprehensive support. The installation package will be

Redflex Holdings has appointed a new Australia-based non-executive director, Terence (Terry) Winters, to the Board. Terry Winters has served as chairman and non-executive director of Australian listed and private companies and charities. He is currently Chairman of Seeing Machines, Converge International, Australian Home Care Services (AHCS) and Intelledox. He will complete his term as Chairman of AHCS on 10 September 2013. Redflex says Terry brings a great depth of experience in the governance and operati

Licence plate recognition (LPR) technology is a powerful tool that helps law enforcers solve crimes and save lives, according to a new survey of law enforcement professionals. The survey, conducted by Vigilant Solutions on behalf of public policy advocacy organisation NetChoice, also revealed that there are strong protections in place to prevent against LPR misuse. The survey polled 504 law enforcement professionals from around the US on their agencies use of LPR technology. More than 87 per cent of respond

The International Road Federation (IRF) Student Essay Competition is an annual contest held to recognise promising road research. Open to all students attending an IRF member university in good-standing as well as IRF Fellows currently enrolled as full time students, the 2013 competition is now under way. It is an excellent way to help to steer the younger generation in the right direction for the future, while accomplishing significant research at the same time.

Following its successful launch last year, the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) Traffic Signals Tour 2013 tour will take place at six key locations across the UK during 1 to 16 October, calling at London, Cardiff, Leicester, Leeds and Glasgow as well as at TRL Crowthorne headquarters in Berkshire.

With vehicle manufacturers and suppliers across the globe looking to put future automotive innovative functions in their vehicle to help enhance the experience of owning and driving a vehicle, Continental and Cisco are showcasing a proof-of-concept connected vehicle at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars, 5-8 August. This joint proof-of-concept connected vehicle is equipped with the secure and seamless network technology to meet the growing demands for connected vehicles. Contine

Brazilian highway concessionaire Renovias has rolled out the first free-flow tolling system in Sao Paulo, Brazil, enabling vehicles to travel at constant speeds along the freeway and enjoy a reduction in travel times. Schneider Electric installed its SmartMobility free-flow toll system, designed to handle electronic toll collection without vehicles having to stop in order to make toll payment. The system also provides vehicle detection via its simultaneous double tag reading system and front and rear licenc

Developed to meet the needs of today's modern transportation industry, McCain claims its new traffic controller cabinet design, the ATC cabinet, increases driver and personnel safety, enhances overall operations and provides a viable migration path to low-voltage intersections. The rack-mount modular cabinet with serial connections brings together the best of existing standards and incorporates National Electrical Codes (NEC) or NFPA 70 standards to guard against accidental electrocution due to inadvertent

The impact of introducing plug-in electric vehicles to the streets of Beijing, one of the world’s most polluted cities, has been examined by researchers from the University of Michigan in the ACS journal Environmental Science and Technology. They use big data mining techniques to understand the impact of fleet electrification. As part of the study, the researchers highlight that while plug-in electric vehicles have developed rapidly in recent years there are still uncertainties with regard to market accepta

Oman has committed about US$14.8 billion, almost half of the country’s eight five-year development Plan for 2011-2015, to overhauling roads, ports and airports with the objective of linking the three modes of transport to improve interconnectivity. The third annual Oman Land Transport Infrastructure Summit 2013, 8-11 September, will spotlight the implementation and construction of transportation networks across the Sultanate with a focus on land transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, tunne

The London Assembly has written to the Mayor Boris Johnson to urge him to look at bringing in a ultra-low emission zone for central London sooner than 2020 and not to restrict plans to new vehicles only. In February this year the Mayor said he wanted to make almost all vehicles driving in central London during working hours zero or low emission by 2020 and asked Transport for London (TfL) to prepare plans for a new ultra-low emissions zone (ULEZ). The London Assembly Environment Committee has now written to

Building on its Vantage video detection technology, Iteris has developed what it says is the first iPad-based application for a video/radar-based hybrid detection solution. The Vector Tablet VST is a convenient set-up tool application for Iteris’ popular Vantage Vector hybrid detection system and allows for complete configuration and visual verification of the detection system operation. Using embedded wi-fi in both devices to communicate securely using multiple security levels, the Vector Tablet VST expedi

TransCore and KLD have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly pursue projects and provide TransCore with exclusive distribution rights for KLD's adaptive control decision support system (ACDSS). The deal means that US Departments of Transport already using TransCore’s TranSuite advanced traffic management system (ATMS) can now integrate KLD’s adaptive control decision support system (ACDSS) into the system to deliver an adaptive control strategy that can be used as part of a larger area-wide traffi

ASECAP’s Marko Jandrisits discusses the Amsterdam Group’s efforts to bring a sense of order to cooperative ITS deployments. When an issue arises which is deemed to require a technological solution governments and public-sector agencies around the world all too often tread the same sorry path. A decision is made to research and develop said technology to the production-ready stage, the work is done and the technology realised but then the money for deployment runs out and the technology is left on the shelf

ITS technology can do a great deal to improve tunnel safety, as Colin Sowman discovers. It was back in April 2004 that the European Parliament adopted the EU Directive which lays down the Minimum Safety Requirements for Tunnels in the Trans-European Road Network (2004/54/EC). This was the first unitary legislation setting minimum safety standards for European road tunnels and was designed to harmonise the management of tunnel safety at a national level. Operators of existing tunnels have until 30 April 201

IBTTA executive director and CEO Patrick D. Jones looks at tolling’s resilience in an increasingly unpredictable and cash-strapped world. Turbulent times call for transportation agencies to move smarter. That’s why resilience and preparedness have become watchwords in every aspect of tollway operations. From having the financial resources to invest in construction, maintenance and roadway operations, to having up-to-date emergency plans and social media strategies to cope with severe weather, tolling agenci

The Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver is a prime example of how the latest ITS systems enable new infrastructures to be built and paid for while still providing additional user benefits. Vancouver has 2.2 million inhabitants and, like so many major cities, is divided into two by a river, the Frazer river. This combination makes Vancouver the second most congested city in North America and the most congested in Canada. Through the middle of the city runs the Trans-Canadian Highway 1 which crosses the Frazer Riv