PennDOT honoured for modernised data collection
PennDOT's modernised field data collection process recently received an international achievement award for its innovative use of geographic information system technology. The Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) Award recognises vision, leadership, hard work and innovative use of technology and was presented at the Esri International User Conference in San Diego. PennDOT received the award for its use of technology to collect information on local roads and bridges such as location, condition and structure type
Smart mobility seminar focuses on role of SMEs in ITS
The INTRASME Smart Mobility Market Opportunity Workshop in Turin, Italy on 25 September will see successful SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) share their insights into emerging opportunities in intelligent transport systems (ITS). The workshop will hear from leading policy makers in ITS, research on future trends in the transport industry and experts in funding opportunities. The Smart Mobility Market Opportunity workshop will appeal to policy makers, researchers and SMEs that are keen to understand
Miami Dade Expressway issues tender for AET toll system
Miami Dade Expressway Authority is procuring a new comprehensive all-electronic toll (AET) system for the 112-Airport Expressway and the 836-Dolphin Expressway with the option to add new equipment at its smaller toll facilities. The request for proposals has been issued and proposals are due by the end of July. The main portion of the work will cover: mainline toll zones and ramp toll zones on the 836-Dolphin Expressway; mainline toll zones on the 112-Airport Expressway; and an optional add-on to the main c
Government to reform strategic road network in England
The national network of motorways and trunk roads in England will get extra lanes, smoother, quieter surfaces, improved junctions and new sections in key areas under a plan launched this week by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin. £28 (US$42.5) billion of investment, which includes a trebling of funding for motorways and major A-roads, will lead to the biggest ever upgrade of the existing network. The focus will be on cutting congestion and minimising the environmental impact of roads, including an extr
Utah DOT to deploy cloud-based truck sorting
The state of Utah will soon deploy Help’s 360SmartView truck screening technology throughout its network of truck inspection facilities to focus on at-risk carriers. 360SmartView is a cloud-based truck-sorting system that will electronically assess all trucks entering weigh stations and present roadside officers with a real-time, complete and correct snapshot of compliance with state and federal safety and weight requirements. According to Help, States that have deployed 360SmartView in the past have report
Parsons Brinckerhoff appoints new VP
Following a 34-year career with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), latterly as secretary of transportation, Paula Hammond has been named senior vice president and national transportation market leader at Parsons Brinckerhoff. In her new position, Hammond will be responsible for working with transportation agencies across the US, including the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), and will continue her involvement with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Of
Regional transport app makes debut
Travellers in Mildura, Australia, now have access to up to date information on regional transport options, thanks to a recently unveiled transport app. Deputy Premier Peter Ryan launched the Transport Connect phone app, saying it would direct users to wherever they wanted to go by whatever means they wanted to travel, including walking, cycling, driving, bus, taxi and plane. "All the user has to do is type in where they want to go and the app will select the appropriate transport mode for that journey," Mr
Industry recognition for Intellicone
Developed by Highway Resource Solutions (HRS), Intellicone, a modular, easy to deploy workzone safety system for the road maintenance, construction and utility sectors, has won the highly coveted Construction News Product Innovation of the year award. HRS, in association with highways service provider A-one+, were presented with the award, the judges commenting “this is what we call innovation and one that comes from the heart. This brilliant solution in one of the most dangerous sectors of construction can
Schneider Electric partners with Microsoft
Schneider Electric is working with Microsoft on CityNext, an initiative designed to help governments, businesses and citizens envision what is next for their cities. Through the CityNext initiative, Microsoft and Schneider Electric will help leaders to do “new with less,” by combining the power of technology with innovative ideas to connect governments, businesses and citizens with city services that increase efficiencies, reduce costs, foster a more sustainable environment and cultivate communities where
Siemens, Allianz said to be interested in Toll Collect
A decision in the dispute between the German government and Toll Collect, the operator of the HGV toll system, over the delayed introduction of the system in Germany is expected to be made by the arbitration court in the first week of October 2013. Experts believe that the German government will waive a part of its damage claims and take over Toll Collect, which is currently owned by Deutsche Telekom (45 per cent), Daimler Financial Services (45 per cent) and Cofiroute (10 per cent).
Auckland upgrades transport services
To cater to the needs of the growing population of the city of Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland Transport has adopted technology solutions from Microsoft’s new initiative, CityNext to upgrade the city’s transportation services and core infrastructure. CityNext offers cities a broad portfolio of technology solutions such as business software, devices and apps, cloud solutions, and big data platforms, from Microsoft and its partners to help city governments overcome urbanisation and governance challenges in ar
Drop in French road deaths ‘due to speed cameras’
Figures released by France’s National Council for Road Safety (CNSR) indicate that the number of people killed on French roads dropped by fifteen per cent in the first half of 2013 compared with the same period last year. Interior Minister Manuel Valls said that 257 fewer people had died in road accidents compared with the first six months of 2012. 2012 was also a record year, with an improvement of eight per cent over 2011. “These results are extremely encouraging,” said Valls, who reiterated his
Students develop GPS traffic monitoring system
A collaborative summer research project between students from the University of Delaware (UD) and Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is compiling traffic data using global position system technology to quantify the severity of congestion on roads leading to and from the Delaware beaches. The students use two UD vehicles equipped with GPS devices programmed to capture travel time from one point to another, mean travel speed and delay using longitude and latitude measurements taken while the vehic
International workshop on FOT results and data
FOT-Net has been established by the European Commission to network Field Operational Tests (FOT) organisers in one platform to address common issues related to the practical organisation, set up and follow-up of FOT results. FOT-Net has organised a free workshop to be held at the Tokyo International Forum on Monday 14 October before the ITS World Congress opening ceremony, to exchange knowledge, best practices and foster cooperation for FOT activities and supporting the coherent development and implementati
Redflex wins expanded NSW mobile speed camera program
Australia’s New South Wales Roads and Maritime Services has awarded Redflex Traffic Systems the contract to provide around forty Redflex Radarcam in-vehicle mobile speed for the State’s expanded mobile enforcement program. Redflex has been operating an interim program in New South Wales since 2010, involving the delivery of 930 enforcement hours per month. The expanded program is to deliver 7000 hours per month when fully operational, a percentage of which will be delivered by Redflex. Comments Redflex Gene
New report shows benefits of improved urban transport efficiency
Policies that improve the energy efficiency of urban transport systems could help save as much as US$ 70 trillion in spending on vehicles, fuel and transportation infrastructure between now and 2050, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency. The report, A Tale of Renewed Cities, draws on examples from more than thirty cities across the globe to show how to improve transport efficiency through better urban planning and travel demand management. Extra benefits include lower greenhouse-ga
NYSERDA, NYSDOT to fund fossil fuel-reducing transport projects
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) have partnered to provide funding to eleven businesses, non-profit organisations and research institutions to promote energy-saving technologies designed to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions in New York State.
ITS Australia applauds National Infrastructure Plan
Intelligent Transport Systems Australia has praised the National Infrastructure Plan presented to the Council of Australian Governments last week. ITS Australia Chief Executive Officer Susan Harris said this Plan recognises some realities that challenge infrastructure management in Australia and it recommends a clear set of actions to force reform in policies and processes. Among the key actions recommended in the National Infrastructure Plan are: Reform of current infrastructure funding methods; Wider appl
Econolite announces new director of International Business Development
Econolite has promoted Melvyn Haxby to the position of director of International Business Development, following the retirement of Ed Ehrman, the company’s former director of International Business. Haxby joined Econolite December 2012 as regional manager for Latin America; prior to that he was international sales director of Iteris, managing the development of international markets and sales. He previously held posts with HSBC, Odetics Europe, Comdisco and Eunetcom.
StarTraq shortlisted for Transport Supplier of the Year
Back office solutions provider StarTraq is one of five finalists in the Transport Supplier of the Year category of the National Transport Awards 2013. StarTraq implemented its back office system across the four collaborating forces in Wales to provide efficiencies in the administration of traffic fines, with the direct result of making the roads in Wales safer. Commenting on the company's nomination, StarTraq's CEO Allan Freinkel says, "For StarTraq to be shortlisted in the category 'Transport Supplier of t