New VP of engineering at ComNet
Communication Networks (ComNet) has announced the appointment of Christopher Costa as the company’s vice president of engineering. Until joining the company, Costa previously held the role of director of engineering at Radiant Communications and Fiber Options/GE Security and has more than 20 years of experience in the development of successful new products for the physical security industry.
Efkon wins international web award
Efkon and its advertising agency Rubikon have received the international WebAward from the Web Marketing Association for the development of the company’s website.
Taiwan to distribute free ETC eTag units to non-ETC users
A new incentive plan proposed by Far Eastern Electronic Toll Collection (FETC) to provide free new eTag units to non-electronic toll collection (ETC) users from February 2012 has been agreed by the National Freeway Bureau (NFB). Non-ETC users will get the free eTag units once they have deposited US$17.39 in their unit account. In addition, a free switch from the old on-board units (OBUs) to the new eTag units will be given to existing ETC users. The new eTag ETC system will be rolled out in February 2012 an
Chinese and Japanese involvement in Indonesian toll roads
Firms from China and Japan will carry out toll road construction projects in Indonesia in partnership with local companies. The Chinese companies CSEC and CHEC will team up with Indonesian firm Hutama Karya for the Medan-Kualanamu-Tebing Tinggi toll road project. This 17km toll road project is due for completion in early 2014 and will cost in the order of US$152 million to complete. A loan worth $137 million is being provided for the project from Chinese sources while over $15 million will be provided by th
First Euro VI automotive diesel engine introduced in China
China Yuchai International Limited has announced that its main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company, has introduced China's first prototype diesel engine compliant with Euro VI emission standards. At a press conference hosted by GYMC at its offices in Yulin City, Guangxi Province, the National Passenger Car Quality Supervision and Inspection Centre (Tianjin Automotive Test Centre) released the test results of the YC6L-60 engine which was jointly developed over a four-year period, between G
Siemens order win costs over 1,400 Bombardier jobs in the UK
Canada-headquartered Bombardier, which claims to be the world’s largest train manufacturer, has today announced over 1,400 jobs are to go at its plant in Derby, Britain’s last remaining railway carriage factory. Today’s announcement follows last month’s decision by the UK government to award to Siemens a contract for 1,200 carriages for the Thameslink commuter service in the London area, with the majority of the manufacturing being undertaken in Germany.
ITS industry in the US has grown to $48 billion and will expand
ITS America has released what it says is the most comprehensive study to date on the scope of the ITS industry in the United States and North America. Researchers found intelligent transportation to be a fast growing sector valued at approximately US$48 billion. Results indicate that cities and states with drastically reduced budgets are turning to technology solutions to maximize existing highway capacity.
ITS industry in the US has grown to $48 billion and will expand
ITS America has released what it says is the most comprehensive study to date on the scope of the ITS industry in the United States and North America. Researchers found intelligent transportation to be a fast growing sector valued at approximately US$48 billion. Results indicate that cities and states with drastically reduced budgets are turning to technology solutions to maximize existing highway capacity.
Honda launches electric scooter
Honda is introducing its new EV-neo electric scooter in Europe. The scooter was launched with a demonstration and short test ride at Honda’s innovative Safety Centre, based at the Montesa Honda factory in Barcelona, Spain. Initially introduced as a concept model at the 2009 Tokyo Motorshow, the EV-neo attracted interest and lease sales of the model started in Japan in April 2011. The scooter is primarily aimed at use by delivery services. However, the EV-neo can also provide for recreational use as well as
TRW expands electric steering in Poland to meet growing demand
TRW Automotive Holdings has announced plans to expand its electrically powered steering systems manufacturing in Poland, in support of growing demand from a range of vehicle manufacturers. Approximately 9,000 square metres of additional manufacturing space will be established in Bielsko Biala close to the existing site in Czechowice-Dziedzice. Production will start in the first quarter of 2012.
Thales delivers ATO system for the Mecca metro
Thales has opened the last phase of Mecca’s new 18.5 km metro line on schedule and in time for the Hajj pilgrimage, the world’s largest religious gathering. The line transports pilgrims between holy sites, reducing travel time between Arafat and Muzdalifah from five hours to just ten minutes.
Toronoto activates next vehicle arrival system
The Toronto Transit Commission in Canada has activated a next vehicle arrival system (NVAS) for its bus network and made available its open data/XML feed for third-party developers. Using GPS software, NVAS allows transit customers to receive real-time route data as to when the next buses (up to six succeeding) will arrive at any specific bus stop. Next-vehicle information is available for more than 9,300 TTC bus stops inside Toronto and more than 800 TTC bus stops in the GTA served by contracted TTC vehicl
Traffic Technology partners with Bluetrace
Traffic Technology Limited has announced that they have partnered with Bluetrace of The Netherlands, enabling them to introduce an innovative and effective journey time system that simply and cost-effectively meets the challenge of providing the network management performance data required by local authorities. Bluetrace Traffic works in networks with other Bluetrace units to accurately capture the unique MAC address of passing Bluetooth and wi-fi devices, building a network of origin and destination points
Agreement between Highways Agency and TomTom
The UK Highways Agency has reached agreement with TomTom to feed up-to-date traffic information from England’s motorways and major A roads into its sat nav services for road users. The agency, which manages the 7,000km strategic road network, collects data on traffic flows from road sensors, backed up by CCTV and other sources. This data, which is already provided to drivers through the Agency’s own channels, will be fed to TomTom for its High Definition Traffic Services.
EV rental agreement for Europe
Opel/Vauxhall, one of Europe’s largest automakers, and leading car rental company Europcar, have announced an agreement to introduce the Opel/Vauxhall Ampera as a rental car throughout Europe. The intention is to deploy the first vehicles in Europcar rental outlets in Germany in November of this year, followed soon afterwards by Belgium and the Netherlands. The Opel/Vauxhall Ampera will then be rolled out throughout France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK from the beginning of 2012.
EU to fund pan-European EV infrastructure demo project
An innovative project to demonstrate what a pan-European infrastructure and service provision for electric vehicles could look like will receive almost €5 million (US$7.1 million) in EU co-funding from the TEN-T budget. The project, which was presented under the 2010 TEN-T Annual Call, constitutes an essential first step towards a possible viable deployment of open-access infrastructure for electric vehicles across the EU over the next ten years.
AMG system deployed for India’s inaugural Formula One grand prix
AMG Systems has revealed that it supplied its AMG 5000 transmission solution for the new Indian Formula One circuit which hosted the inaugural Indian Formula One grand prix on 30 October, 2011. Indian based Pan Intellecom is responsible for implementing the surveillance project for the F1 event and managing director Harbir Singh explains why the company chose the AMG transmission solution. “We selected the AMG 5000 Series for the project and although we were very pressed for time leading up to the inaugural
Seoul building cyber attack-resistant traffic and transport control system
According to a report in the Korea Times today, Seoul city officials are city urgently undertaking the development and of an integrated traffic information and operation system resistant to cyber terrorism to guard the city's traffic network from outside attacks. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it plans to build an advanced transport management system that monitors the total traffic network around the clock by the end of this year, as part of efforts to vigilantly respond against any security threat.
Deadline reminder for ITS World Congress early bird registrations
Organisters of the 18th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems have pointed out that the deadline to register at the early bird registration rate is rapidly approaching! Members of ITS America and public sector employees can register for $1,075.00 until 1 August, 2011- gaining a $400.00 discount off the regular registration rate for a four-day delegate pass! Full registration for the World Congress which is being held from 16-20 October, 2011 in Orlando, Florida, includes admittance to all ses
Potential to charge an EV in minutes claim
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has entered into a licensing agreement with Xerion Advanced Battery Corp. under which Xerion has the exclusive right to bring the University’s StructurePore battery-charging technology to the market. The StructurePore technology was developed by Paul Braun, Ph. D., of the Department of Materials, Science & Engineering at the University of Illinois, who is presently also an officer and director of Xerion. He and his colleagues believe that the StructurePore tech