Drivers get eyes in the back of their heads
Drivers of the new Nissan Note will be able to see a full 360-degrees, compared to the average human’s field of vision of around 120 degrees, thanks to Nissan's advanced engineering and sophisticated technologies. The new model, unveiled at last month's Geneva Motor Show, is the first Nissan to feature its advanced safety shield - a package of technologies that delivers a new level of driver assistance in the small car segment - along with the advanced around view monitor.
Thales to implement telecommunications systems on Manaus monorail
Thales is to provide telecommunications systems for the Manaus monorail. The monorail will also be equipped with the Thales Seltra communications-based train control (CBTC) system to provide an integrated signalling and communications solution. “With Thales technology, the project will have a communications infrastructure that fully supports the operational, administrative and maintenance applications needed to operate the monorail, ensuring reliability, redundancy, high availability and security in station
On-line course on weather responsive traffic management
The ITS Joint Program Office Professional Capacity Building program in partnership with the Consortium for ITS Training and Education (CITE) and the FHWA Road Weather Management Program are delivering the new web-based course on weather responsive traffic management starting 3 May 2013. The course is currently free of charge for a limited time to all government agencies at the state, local, city/municipal and federal levels. The course provides information and guidance to transportation system managers and
Econolite introduces next generation ATC
The next generation of Econolite’s advanced traffic controllers (ATC), Cobalt is said to be the first controller to feature a new platform in advanced communications and user interface designed to accommodate the mobile computing environment. Its new user interface makes its operations and access to essential functions the most intuitive and hassle-free controller on the market today. Developed on the industry ATC standards, Cobalt provides a combination of ATC controller functionality with a breakthrough u
Mott MacDonald to acquire Habtec Engenharia Ambiental
Global engineering, management and development consultancy Mott MacDonald is to acquire Brazilian environmental engineering consultancy Habtec Engenharia Ambiental, as part of its strategy to create a regional base in Brazil from where it can expand across South America. Habtec has been operating principally in the energy, mining and transport sectors for over 20 years. The company’s project portfolio includes various environmental impact studies, compliance support, monitoring projects and environmental ed
Redflex names new European Business Development Manager
Redflex Traffic Systems has announced that Dudi Cohen will become the company’s European Business Development Manager. Dudi will relocate to the United Kingdom to take up his new position. Dudi has been with Redflex for more than six years, starting in the research and development team and later as US Support Manager, liaising with Redflex’s sister office in the United States covering technical support, project management, pre and after sales support, back office operation, training, supply chain management
Researchers test cost-effective vehicle automation
Researchers at Oxford University in the UK are testing a combination of off-the-shelf technology which could enable a car to drive itself for sections of a familiar route. Dr Ingmar Posner of the University’s mobile robotics group is part of a team working on the car which he believes could affordably reach the showrooms in ten or fifteen years.
Delivering London’s live bus arrival information
Launched in October 2011, Transport for London’s Countdown real time bus information service has proven extremely popular. The latest research shows that around 830,000 bus journeys made in London each day are informed by live bus arrival information. Building on this success, TfL has developed a new way of delivering live bus arrival information to a range of public locations, such as hospital waiting rooms or shopping centre foyers. This means that real time bus arrival information can be provided to pa
Siemens demonstrates the future of traffic management
On show for the first time at Traffex 2013 is Siemens’ Stratos, which the company says demonstrates the future of traffic management. Developed using the latest cloud-based technology, Stratos delivers scalable real-time traffic management, information and control; from basic monitoring to strategic control of complex urban traffic environments. According to Mark Bodger, product manager, Stratos is the latest generation of traffic management, information and control systems from Siemens and the most effect
TransCore to provide AET forOrange County toll roads
Toll roads in Orange County California are due to go cashless and all-electronic (AET) in the spring of 2014 according to an announcement from the Transportation Corridors Agencies (TCA) which has just has just approved a contracts with TransCore. The contract is for US$36.42 million and provides for provision of a new toll system that is regular AET mix of RFID transponder tolling and image based licence plate reads in an open road setting. TransCore will also maintain the system for ten years. A statement
NY to get EV charging stations
As part of an initiative to create 3,000 public and workplace stations over the next five years and to put 40,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road in the state, New York is to have more than 360 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed throughout the state to help reduce fossil fuel use. Announcing the project, Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “Building this network of innovative charging stations will encourage New Yorkers to use fuel-efficient alternatives like electric vehicles as well as grow the
NSW university launches high-tech safety study
Road experts led by Australia’s University of New South Wales (NSW) professor Mike Regan are to conduct what is said to be the most thorough traffic safety study in Australian history. Cameras inside and outside cars will film 400 volunteers in Victoria and New South Wales in an effort to analyse the cause of crashes and change driver education and road safety campaigns. The cameras will record how drivers behaved and reacted in ''real world'' situations. John Wall, manager of road safety technology with N
Sick takes the high road for complex traffic management
Sick is taking advantage of Traffex to launch its TIC102 laser measurement system at Traffex 2013, part of the company’s growing portfolio of vehicle and traffic management solutions in the UK, Following the acquisition of the Swiss-based company ECTN. The TIC102 offers real time vehicle profiling and classification for multi-lane, free flowing or stop-go traffic. As well as providing collection data for tolls, it can be used for monitoring vehicle speed, vehicle dimensions and vehicle intervals, even with
Delcan to manage Hawaii freeway service patrol program
Engineering and technology company Delcan has been awarded a five year contract to operate and maintain the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s freeway service patrol (FSP) program. Delcan will install, operate and manage the entire program, including procurement and maintenance of FSP vehicles and equipment; provide and train staff; and manage FSP vehicle dispatch. As a popular vacation destination, the Hawaii FSP program will benefit both local motorists and tourist who require motorist assistance, such
Schneider Electric to focus on arterial management systems
Schneider Electric will use the ITS America Annual Meeting to highlight its Integrated Transportation Management which it says is a unique solution that improves mobility through efficient operation of the transportation network and city resources. This provides the comprehensive structure necessary to foster information-sharing and coordination across multiple government agencies. The solution is part of Schneider Electric’s complete suite of SmartCity and SmartMobility solutions that promote more efficien
A sharper message from Daktronics
Daktronics comes to the ITS America Annual Meeting with an offer to help agencies ‘Sharpen the Image’ of their dynamic messages signs with the introduction of its new 20mm full-colour Vanguard product line. As the company points out, the dissemination of critical information to drivers is a leading priority for transportation agencies across the United States. Enabling this effort is the recent evolution of NTCIP and MUTCD standards encouraging the use of colour and legible graphics. These efforts allow age
Don’t miss the Special Session on Wi-Fi Expansion and the Future of Connected Vehicles!
As part of an effort by policymakers to make better use of the nation’s airwaves, Congress last year directed the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA) to examine the potential for spectrum sharing in the 5.4 GHz and 5.9 GHz bands, the latter of which was set aside by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1999 for the development of connected vehicle technology. On January 25, the NTIA issued an initial report expressing concern about the potential interference risks asso
Port of Seattle rolls out truck tag program to reduce emissions
As part of a larger effort to curb emissions from port-related vehicles, the Port of Seattle and its container terminal operating tenants have gone live with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag program in support of the port’s Clean Truck Initiative. The program roll-out was a success, involving an average of over 2,000 truck gate moves a day with less than two percent of all port registered trucks reporting issues, which were able to be resolved in most cases within fifteen minutes. By gathering t
FCC seeking comments on opening up 5 GHz band
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments on a proposed rule that would make the 5.85-5.925 GHz band of spectrum available for expanded wi-fi services. The band is currently dedicated to uses associated with connected vehicle programs. FCC officials announced earlier this year that the commission is seeking to open up the 5 GHz band in order to alleviate wi-fi congestion at major hubs, such as airports and convention centres. However, there are concerns that the technology to prevent
Accenture and SNCF deliver passenger focused systems for Italy’s NTV
Management consulting and technology company Accenture and Rail Solutions, an SNCF subsidiary, have successfully delivered a range of passenger-focused systems for new Italian rail operator, Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV), including an advanced reservation and distribution platform, a revenue management system and a customer relationship management (CRM) system. Having chosen Navitaire Rail’s hosted reservation solution, developed by Accenture subsidiary Navitaire, NTV awarded its implementation to Accen