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Traffic trials aimed at streamlining the rush-hour commute in the UK’s north-east have been given the green light. The project in Newcastle involves new satellite navigation technology which helps drivers adjust their speed so they can pass through a series of lights on green. The European project is being led by Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council, and aims to reduce city centre congestion and pollution associated with stop-start driving. Phil Blythe, Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems

One of the most congested interstates in Virginia, US, is to get an Active Traffic Management (ATM) system. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has selected TransCore, a division of Roper Industries, to design and build its I-66 ATM system on northern Virginia’s main highway into the District of Columbia. The US$34 million contract is 90 percent federally funded and will support thirty-four miles of highway from the District of Columbia to Gainesville US-29 in Prince William County. The projec

A new app developed by transportation specialists Cross County Connection Transportation Management Association (CCCTMA), allows users to quickly check the real-time traffic conditions and view live traffic cameras, at intersections known for congestion in southern New Jersey. CCCTMA says the NJ Intersections app works on iPhone and Android-enabled devices with an easy-to-use interface that quickly shows you exactly what the traffic situation looks like at any selected intersection. Simply touching the scr

UDRIVE is the first large-scale integrated driving study in Europe and aims to provide in-depth knowledge in a number of areas. Cars, trucks and motorcycles will be equipped with sensors and cameras for around one year and provide continuous and detailed information about the driver and the vehicle in interaction with other road users. This will result in a wealth of information about everyday trips on European roads. The UDRIVE project started in October 2012, and the forthcoming UDRIVE workshop offers the

Austria’s Federal State of Niederösterreich has been successfully using Gewi’s TIC software solution to create and distribute information on winter road conditions and work zones for the state’s14,000 kilometre road network. During the winter season, each of the fifty-eight road maintenance departments reports current road conditions in their district to the TIC system, which creates an overview report on which districts have snowfall, road conditions, the highest/lowest temperature, snow chain requirements

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) is making funds available to existing and potential multi-state organisations and other agencies engaged in corridor transportation activities for participation in the Multi-state Corridor Operations and Management (MCOM) Program authorised by the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The purpose of the investment is to promote regional cooperation, planning, and shared project implementation for program

Jakarta city administration and Jakarta Police have teamed up to prepare a more sophisticated system of traffic enforcement using electronic ticketing, in order to reduce fraudulent practices by police officers in the field. “Such a measure will reduce illegal levies collected by traffic policemen in the field from traffic violators,” Deputy Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama said. To support the system, the administration will install CCTV cameras across the capital to record traffic violations

T-Systems Hungary has been awarded a contract by Hungarian public transport operator Kaposvari Tomegkozlekedesi to set up a new passenger information system in the municipality of Kaspovar. The project includes the installation of passenger information displays including 41 solar-powered units at bus stops, wi-fi hotspots, and a new real-time GPS tracking system. Bus arrival times will be displayed on the passenger information displays, including information on the arrival of low-floor buses for the disabl

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is to expand its real-time travel information to include route 114, enabling motorists travelling on route 114 north in East Providence to view travel time estimates to I-95 and T F Green airport via the Department's existing electronic message board on route 114 north. Travel times are currently displayed each weekday on fixed overhead and portable roadside electronic message signs on I-95, I-195, and route 146, and complement other RIDOT travel plannin

The UK government has launched a six-week consultation in an effort to help reduce barriers around unnecessary regulations on England’s motorways and major A roads. It is hoped that the new Highways Agency (HA) developments will remove bureaucracy while putting more power in the hands of local communities and their representatives. The planned changes place greater emphasis on its role to promote economic growth and enable development. Key changes proposed include: easing restrictions for developers on new

Electric vehicle (EV) charging provider ChargePoint, in conjunction with Lanier Parking Solutions, has installed networked electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at six locations in Atlanta. Installation of the EV charging stations is a critical step in the City of Atlanta's efforts to expand its electric vehicle footprint. There are more than 750 electric and electric hybrid vehicles registered in the Atlanta area, and car manufacturers will introduce more than ten new models in 2013 alone. "Lanier is pro

Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC) is targeting priority highways maintenance schemes with strategic support from Yotta DCL, whose consultants used its web-based Horizons visualised asset management software to create works programmes for the carriageway and footway network across Rochdale’s four townships and their wards. This latest contract builds on previous work done by Yotta DCL, including coarse visual inspections (CVI), scanner surveys, footway network surveys and video asset inventory coll

French mobility solutions specialist Induct recently announced its first delivery of Navia, the self-driving electric shuttle developed under a partnership with Switzerland’s Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL). According to Induct, Navia is the first automated electric shuttle offering an environment-friendly alternative to public transport and private cars in urban areas. The automated driverless electric vehicle carries up to eight passengers at a maximum speed of 20 km/h, and was designed t

Work to upgrade part of the M62 in West Yorkshire to a managed motorway, the first scheme in the Yorkshire and Humber region, reached a significant milestone when the first overhead electronic signs went live. For the first time, the variable advisory speed limit signs have come into operation between junctions 27 and 28 to allow the UK Highways Agency to calibrate and test the technology required for the new managed motorway, with the signs being switched on and off in response to traffic conditions. Advis

A new study by transportation software provider PTV Group concludes that scarcity of resources and demographic change are determining the future of public transport. The study illustrates which topics are moving the public transport sector and how stakeholders are dealing with them. The study involved around 300 participants from around the world, including transport operators, associations, consultants and engineering companies. The majority (81 per cent) stated fewer resources and climate change as the l

In Oregon, gas-tax money funds about 58 per cent of the budget used to take care of the state’s roads. As vehicles become more fuel efficient, the gas tax, which is 30 cents a gallon in Oregon and 37 cents in Washington, will generate less and less money. “If we’re using gasoline and diesel sales to fund our transportation system, we’re going to be in big trouble,” said Patrick Cooney of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Recognizing the problem early, Oregon started studying alternatives to th

Visionstream Australia (Visionstream) is to deliver the Intelligent Transport System (ITS) and communications infrastructure for the Westgate Freeway Managed Motorway Project under the National Smart Managed Motorways Program. The US$21.5 million contract includes design and construction of the ITS system and an operations and maintenance component for two years. Under the contract, Visionstream will be undertaking the design, supply, installation and integration of ITS devices including lane use signs, va

Confidex, Finland-based supplier of specialty RFID tags, has been awarded OCS certification for its 6C RFID windshield tag by OmniAir Certification Services (OCS), the test-affiliate of OmniAir Consortium, a technology-focused member association created to enable the deployment of interoperable advanced transportation technologies and applications. OCS certification positions Confidex as a certified, high-quality, high-volume RFID tag provider for the North American electronic toll collection market. The Co

In a contract worth US$47 million, Thales and Kapsch are to provide Bulgarian railway infrastructure company NRIC with the electronic signalling and telecommunication technology for the Sofia-Plovdiv railway line, part of the International Rail Corridor IV from Dresden to Istanbul. Kapsch CarrierCom will deliver the GSM-R technology for the project, while Thales will deploy electronic interlocking systems for five stations, including outdoor facilities, ETCS (European Train Control System) Level 1 tracksid

Researchers at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) have come up with a way to measure the unreliability of trip times due to traffic congestion. The Planning Time Index (PTI) illustrates the amount of extra time needed to arrive on time for higher priority events, such as an airline departure, just-in-time shipments, medical appointments or especially important social commitments. If the PTI for a particular trip is 3.00, a traveller would allow sixty minutes for a trip that typically takes twenty