Pan-European eCall takes a step forward
The European vehicle safety system eCall has taken another step forward with the launch in Spain of the second phase of HeERO (Harmonised eCall European Pilot). HeERO is an international project, supported by the European Union, which aims to help EU member states to prepare pilot sites for the deployment of eCall in 2015. HeERO, which started in 2011 and will conclude in 2014, aims to prepare pilot sites in many EU member states for the deployment of the eCall system in 2015. In January 2011, the nine Euro
IRD to provide commercial vehicle e-screening in New Jersey
Traffic management systems company International Road Dynamics (IRD) is to implement and operate a commercial vehicle electronic screening system as part of New Jersey’s Commercial Vehicle Information Systems and Networks (CVISN) program. The CVISN program is a collection of information systems and communication networks owned and operated by government, carriers and stakeholders that support commercial vehicle operations (CVO). As a result of this contract, IRD will provide e-screening services to commerc
Iteris expands video detection product offering
Realising that rising fuel costs lead to more commuters taking to the streets on bicycles, creating an increased need for accurate bicycle detection at intersections, US traffic management information solutions provider Iteris has launched SmartCycle, a new product addition to its Vantage video detection product suite. According to Iteris, an intersection configured with SmartCycle can effectively differentiate between bicycles and other vehicles, enabling more efficient signalised intersections and maximis
Smartphone commuter rail ticketing system launched
Customers in Massachusetts Bay on the US east coast can now purchase and then display rail tickets and passes using the MBTA mTicket app for iPhone and Android. Blackberry devices will also be supported soon. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Masabi US, the transit mobile ticketing provider, jointly announced the launch of the US’ first full smartphone commuter rail ticketing system. The tickets are displayed on the phone’s screen as an encrypted barcode and as a human readable ticket.
Introducing Hitachi’s HD optical zoom camera
Hitachi’s DI-SC120R camera includes a new feature, defog, that the camera processes in real time. Images are resolved for highly magnified stable images in foggy conditions such as urban surveillance, traffic monitoring and pole mounted applications. The camera measures each pixel for fog thickness and applies contrast to the image to offer a uniform image. The camera’s one-third inch CCD sensor provides a full resolution of 1280x720. Hitachi has combined its proprietary Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to a
Latest PTV Visum software launched
German software and consulting company PTV has launched the latest version of PTV Visum public transport planning software, featuring a modern window design and powerful network display options. The company says that version 12.5 is more user-friendly, with a new window design that displays all relevant information at a glance. Users can drag and drop windows and group them according to their requirements in the main window or extract them from the main window via drag and drop, enabling lists, editors and
Just wave and go with electronic tolls
Drivers using the Windsor-Detroit tunnel linking Canada with the US will shortly be able to pay electronically on both sides of the border. Until now, electronic payment has only been available on the US side. Tunnel president Neal Belitsky said, “It’s part of a plan to eventually phase out tunnel tokens after 2013. We’re going to be getting out of the token business. If you look throughout the US or Canada, you can count the number of transportation facilities that use tokens ... probably on one hand.” T
New York DOT installs Sensys adaptive traffic control
In a bid to improve traffic flow, New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) has installed Sensys Networks’ ACS Lite wireless traffic sensors on several streets in the city. ACS Lite is designed to provide adaptive technologies to arterial applications, calculating slight adjustments to timing patterns to optimise traffic through arterial flows. "The sensors will help with another system adapt to the times of the signal so they will change quicker and be more responsible to the current conditions," said
Seville launches real time bus timetable application for mobiles
The bus operator of Seville city in Spain, Tussam has launched a new mobile phone application to provide passengers with real time bus travel information. The application provides details on the distribution of stops and times lines of public transport routes, offers information on how to reach different parts of the city and provides real-time data on traffic incidents and outages. The company has promised to return the price of the ticket if the bus is late by more than five minutes. The app can be used o
AT&T shows connected car of the future
AT&T is joining the connected car market, with the unveiling of its connected car program at the recent Consumer Electronics Show. According to AT&T mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega, analysts expect more than 20 million connected cars will take to the road in the next three years, and AT&T wants to be at the forefront of this emerging market. The company demonstrated its intentions in a video showing the kind of technologies that can be expect its vision of the future connected car, including biometric sensors
IBTTA campaign highlights benefits of tolling
The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) has announced the launch of an aggressive 2013 public awareness campaign to highlight the benefits of tolling. “We’re launching this campaign to ensure that tolling is a key part of the discussions in Congress and elsewhere around the country on how to fund America’s transportation system,” said Patrick D Jones, IBTTA executive director and CEO. “IBTTA’s Moving America Forward public awareness campaign will make the case for the tolling indus
New approach to data handling aids development of smarter cities
David Crawford has been to the Irish capital to see a potent memorandum of understanding at work. An imaginative collaboration between the world’s largest IT company and one of Europe’s smaller capital cities is demonstrating a new approach to data handling that could have far reaching implications for urban public transport worldwide. A close working relationship between IBM and Dublin City Council (DCC) dates from 2010.
TfL expands SCOOT adaptive traffic management
Microsimulation traffic modelling has supported a further roll-out of SCOOT adaptive traffic signal control in London, demonstrating a 13% reduction in travel delays. Development of a cost-effective traffic modelling system has led to a further major roll-out of SCOOT adaptive traffic management technology in London, says traffic and software programme director Gavin Jackman of UK transport consultancy TRL. The roll-out of SCOOT at 600 additional intersections, now at its midpoint, is a central plank in the
ITS America 2013 Article Page
ITS America 2013 Article Page
ITS America 2013 Article Page
ITS America 2013 Article Page
Transportation systems should be self-sustaining says study
A recent study by US public policy think tank claims the nation's growing debt and budget deficits are increasingly impacting efforts to build, upgrade and maintain transportation infrastructure. The study proposes that transportation funding should be shifted to direct user fees, long-term financing and private capital, foundation officials said in a prepared statement. The study recommends a series of tax, regulatory and organisational changes that would help modernise the nation's airports, air traffic c
PennDOT 511 traveller information system to be privatised
The Pennsylvania Department of Transport (PennDOT) 511 system, 511PA, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s Roadway Information Program (TRIP), are to be privatised, following approval by the Pennsylvania Public Private Transportation Partnership (P3) Board of a project soliciting private sector proposals to manage and operate the systems. In operation since 2009, 511PA provides traffic-delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 670 traffic cameras. The
Jakarta integrates traffic management
In an effort to solve traffic congestion problems in the city of Jakarta, the intelligent transport system (ITS) owned by Jakarta Transportation Department will be integrated with the traffic management centre (TMC) owned by Jakarta City Police. Jakarta vice-governor, Basuki T Purnama said Jakarta Transportation Department ITS and Jakarta City Police TMC will be connected in a bid to find an effective solution to overcome traffic congestion. "We will link both systems using fibre optic cables," said Basuki.
Leddartech wins in Toronto
Following a successful trial, the City of Toronto in Canada has ordered an initial sixty of LeddarTech’s innovative d-tec 3D non-intrusive overhead traffic sensors based on Leddar (Light Emitting Diode Detection and Ranging) technology for its traffic management needs. Leddar says that ease of configuration, speed of installation on existing infrastructure, accurate detection in all environmental conditions and its ability to detect objects of all sizes, including bicycles and motorcycles, set d-tec apart f
TfL expands SCOOT adaptive traffic management
Microsimulation traffic modelling has supported a further roll-out of SCOOT adaptive traffic signal control in London, demonstrating a 13% reduction in travel delays. Development of a cost-effective traffic modelling system has led to a further major roll-out of SCOOT adaptive traffic management technology in London, says traffic and software programme director Gavin Jackman of UK transport consultancy TRL. The roll-out of SCOOT at 600 additional intersections, now at its midpoint, is a central plank in the