Russia to invest billions in traffic safety
Russia's State Traffic Safety Inspectorate (STSI) has presented a draft concept of federal target programme on traffic safety for the period 2013-2020 which mainly focuses on decreasing road accident mortality. It features a commitment to address the death rate among children and provides for bulk acquisition of school buses.
Metrolinx opts for INIT system
GO Transit, a division of Metrolinx, located in Toronto, Canada, that carries 61 million passengers a year has chosen INIT to deploy a new fleet management system for 424 GO buses, 47 GO rail cars and 50 non-revenue vehicles. The contract calls for an advanced ITS solution which includes an intermodal CAD/AVL system, on-board mobile data terminals, automatic passenger counting technology, next stop announcements, in-vehicle variable message signs, real-time vehicle diagnostics and interfaces to existing des
Mobile pedestrian target
A technology collaboration between InnovITS Advance and TRL has led to the creation of an advanced form of pedestrian detection target which it is claimed will help those specifying and developing automotive safety systems based on pedestrian recognition to test and certify their products in a more flexible, accurate and repeatable manner.
The new pedestrian target is based around a robust, free standing dummy that provides a realistic human aspect and moves under remote control with a programmable range o
Phoenix Skytrain to use 3D passenger counting
The first US installation of the latest Iris Matrix automatic passenger counting system will be on Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's PHX Sky Train, scheduled to begin service early next year. The new technology with 3D sensors, developed by German company Iris Gmbh and being installed by Bridge Technology, generates a 3D-image of the door space, so that individual people are detected even in tightly packed crowds. “Sky Train customers will benefit with less congestion, which means getting to their
Developments in toll interoperability
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority's JJ Eden talks about developments within the Alliance for Toll Interoperability. The Alliance for Toll Interoperability grew out of the US State of North Carolina's moves to introduce modern, Open Road Tolling (ORT) and the identification of revenue 'holes' when it came to out-of-state customers. Initially, the Alliance looked to achieve some form of common ground when it came to the use of transponders used by different agencies but alighted on video-based tolling as
Smart road restraint
A dummy in motorcycling gear sliding into a guardrail was displayed in the European Parliament in Brussels, to present the Smart RRS project which developed a road restraint system effectively protecting motorcyclists from impacting against guardrail posts. The system also features sensors to warn road users of hazards and call the emergency services after an accident. It was the final event of Smart Road Restraint Systems, a project co-funded by the European Commission.
Barcode ticket scanner deployment
Gatwick Express, the non-stop rail-air link between central London and Gatwick Airport, has introduced new barcode ticket scanners on the gates at London Victoria and Gatwick Airport stations for people who print their e-tickets or have their tickets sent to their UK mobile when booking online
Adopting universal technology platforms for tolling
Dave Marples of Technolution argues that the continuing development of tolling-specific onboard equipment is leading us up a blind alley. We should, he says, be looking to realise universal platforms with universal application. The near-future automobile contains information systems of a sophistication to rival a jet airliner of only a few years ago, yet is 'piloted' by a considerably less well-trained individual of highly variable mental and physical capacity, and operated in a hostile, unpredictable and p
A fresh approach to electronic fee collection
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is pioneering fresh approaches to Electronic Fee Collection (EFC) deployment in the US. Its new system, operational since January 2009 on all buses and commuter trains, is the country's first full-network rollout of transit e-ticketing technology built on an open-payment network, according to the organisation's Technology Programme Development Manager Craig Roberts.
Semi-autonomous hybrid vehicle trials show fuel, emission savings
The Transport Research Laboratory has unveiled an innovative semi-autonomous vehicle prototype. It offers improves in environmental performance and safety but also displays some shortcomings. Mike Woof reports. The UK's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) has been working on an innovative project to develop a prototype vehicle intended to reduce fuel consumption. Based on a Ford Escape hybrid model, TRL's Sentience vehicle uses a combination of mobile communications and mapping technologies to reduce fuel c
Lower speed limits on UK rural roads will save lives
The UK's Department for Transport has unveiled new guidance that will make it easier for 40mph (64km/h) speed limits to be imposed on quiet rural roads. These roads currently have a typical speed limit of 60mph but the Government is keen to change this in a bid to reduce road casualties. The latest figures from the government show that there were 1,901 road deaths in 2011, a three per cent increase on 2010. In 2010, 68 per cent of road deaths occurred on rural roads, of which almost 50 per cent had a speed
Israel and China negotiating for construction of the railway line to Eilat
An important and significant step on the road to construction of a railway line to Eilat has been announced. Israel and China began initial negotiations for the possible construction, via the Chinese government, of the t railway line that will transport passengers and cargo from Eilat to the centre of Israel.
UK telematics insurance sales increased five fold in the last two years
Research from the British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) shows that ‘black box’ motor insurance sales have increased five fold in the last two years, and are set to snowball to around 500,000 in the next two years. BIBA says that the telematics technology can offer savings on motor insurance of around 2530 per cent and some young drivers can save up to US$1,554.
Clever Devices acquires Digital Recorders
Clever Devices, a technology solutions for all modes of public transportation, including fixed-route, bus rapid transit, paratransit and rail, has closed a transaction to acquire substantially all of the assets of Digital Recorders. Formerly, Digital Recorders, a provider of ITS to public transit agencies throughout North America, was a wholly-owned subsidiary of Digital Recorders, (DRI), which filed for bankruptcy in March, 2012.
Seoul to unveil electric car rental service
In October 2012, an electric car rental service will be unveiled by Seoul City in South Korea to promote eco-friendly transportation. A total of 200 electric cars will be provided by the city for the car sharing service programme that will be unveiled in collaboration with two firms, with a target to ease traffic congestion, cut air pollution and save energy. The two companies that will join the programme are Korea Car Sharing and LG CNS, under a deal sealed with the city.
TomTom Maps to power MapQuest’s mobile application
TomTom has announced a partnership with MapQuest, wholly owned by AOL, to power the company’s mobile app with TomTom maps. Available for Android and iOS, MapQuest’s free apps provide access to a wireless version of the well-known MapQuest website.
Commercial Vehicle Operations in New Brunswick
The Province of New Brunswick has prepared a deployment plan for ITS applications for Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO). The plan, developed by Delcan Corporation, identifies a number of potential ITS/CVO investments and initiatives to be implemented. One of the initiatives is the Motor Carrier Profile (MCP), which has been selected as one of the sample projects for the application of the Project Evaluation Methodology Framework for Canadian ITS.
The Canadian way
Delcan has developed an ITS project evaluation methodology for Transport Canada. Victor Bruzon explains how it will assist in selecting and managing programmes. ITS projects offer a cost-effective solution for many transportation problems. Individual projects are often not evaluated and such evaluations can be restricted by limited data, the ability of ITS to affect only a portion of the transport network, and by evaluation methodologies that were developed with more traditional transport investments in min
The cost benefits of LED traffic signals
On 11 January 2005, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) began installing GELcore LED traffic signal modules state-wide through an Energy Savings Performance Contract. In tendering for the work, the energy service contractors could choose any manufacturers equipment but all of them proposed to use the GELcore brand.
The financial benefits of public transport
According to the UITP, the International Association of Public Transport, public transport offers even better value for money than usually stated. To address the issue, it has released a Focus Paper - Assessing the benefits of public transport - and is holding a special session dedicated to the theme during the UITP World Congress in Vienna, Austria, from 7-11 June.