The way 5G connectivity will change transport technology across Europe will be examined in detail at the ITS European Congress in Lisbon from 18 – 20 May 2020. Organisers of the Congress, ERTICO – ITS Europe, will host sessions explaining how 5G will enable vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure solutions in a safe and latency-free way, as well as improving data sharing and personalised services. “Connectivity and cooperative solutions are key building blocks when it comes to improving the safety and efficiency of mobility and logistics,” added ERTICO CEO Jacob Bangsgaard.  “They ena ..read more

68% of drivers in England questioned by the RAC think removing the hard shoulder, as is happening on tsmart motorways, compromises safety for those who breakdown in a live lane. The RAC Report on Motoring 2019 found a considerable level of concern about the potential impact of breakdowns or accidents on safety and congestion on this new type of motorway.  More than a hundred miles of hard shoulder have been converted by Highways England into running lanes for traffic, many removed permanently on  ‘all lane running’ smart motorways. Among those motorists who say they have driven on an ‘all lane ..read more

Non-profit organisation MaaS America, which was launched this year to “advance Mobility as a Service solutions that reflect the North American form of mobility”, has appointed its inaugural Board of Directors. It says the approval of the Board marks a key milestone for MaaS America which began with an informal Advisory Committee and that the appointment of the Board “provides the affirmation and validation of the need for the organization to move forward”. The Inaugural Board of Directors of MaaS America includes: Rosa Rountree, Chief Executive Officer, Egis Projects, Inc. Scott McCormick, Pre ..read more

A recording of PTV-led debate about the future of mobility and the use of data to support it, reducing the need for infrastructure building, is now online.  Listen here. The panel debate took place at the ITS World Congress in Singapore and was chaired by SMART Highways editor Paul Hutton.  It featured discussion on better traffic management, budget constraints, politicians’ love of “turning dirt” rather than cheaper, quicker, more efficient technology solutions, and the “rush to be second”. The debate, called “Orchestrating mobility in Smart Cities” focused on cities’ orchestration of transpo ..read more

We recorded so much great material at the ITS World Congress in Singapore, and some of it didn’t fit into podcasts from the event, so here is a bonus podcast sponsored by AGD Systems, Cohda Wireless, HERE Technologies, Jenoptik, PTV Group, SWARCO and WSP.  Listen here. In the programme you’ll hear the full summary of Congress from Prof Eric Sampson, Chief Rapporteur, who addressed the closing ceremony. Australian company Cohda Wireless and their partners Autonomous Stuff from Illinois Plus talk driverless technology and the business case around it, while we hear about data with EROAD and how a ..read more

Transport for London (TfL) has ruled against granting Uber a new private hire operator’s licence, deeming it to ‘not be fit and proper’ to hold one. The company has confirmed that it will appeal the decision. Uber will be closely monitored by TfL but is able to carry on operating while the appeal process takes place. A change to Uber’s systems allowed unauthorised drivers to upload their photos to other Uber driver accounts, which occurred ‘in at least 14,000 trips – putting passenger safety and security at risk’, TfL said. TfL, which acts as the regulator for London, said this was a key issu ..read more

This latest edition of our SMART Highways podcast focusses on the latest issue of the magazine, covering smart motorways, other safety features in car and traffic management. Our cover feature in this issue is all about the topical issue in Britain at the moment – the safety of smart motorways. Given the technology is being copied, or being considered, around the world as a lower-cost way of delivering more capacity, it’s a key issue everywhere. SMART Highways reporter Emma Greedy spoke to key people about the concept, the problems and possible solutions and explained some of her findings to T ..read more

As part of its growth strategy, the software company PTV has announced it is bundling its transportation and logistics operations in France. Under the umbrella of the new subsidiary PTV France SAS, industry and public-sector customers can now benefit from PTV’s entire range of products, its extensive industry expertise and many years of project experience. This includes the “Breathable Cities” initiative for air pollution control in Strasbourg, for instance. The new subsidiary is the result of the merger of two separate companies, i.e. PTV Loxane SAS and PTV France SARL, one specialising in tr ..read more

Clearview Intelligence has teamed up with HERE Technologies to offer real time journey time information based on Clearview’s Insight software platform and HERE Real-Time Traffic data. The combination of Clearview’s Insight platform offering easy route monitoring set-up with clear reporting tools, powered by HERE’s traffic data and map views, offers users industry leading visibility on the UK’s and other countries road journey times. Paul Bates, Head of Product Management at Clearview commented, “By combining HERE’s data with our Insight platform this shows our commitment to the ongoing evolut ..read more

Flowbird has announced that visitors to the Lake Distract National Park can now pay for parking with contactless technology. The National Park Authority has installed new Flowbird solar powered terminals at 17 locations across the Lake District, including Grasmere, Hawkshead, Ambleside and Ullswater, widening payment options from coin-only to include card and contactless methods. Revenue generated by the parking facilities is reinvested in local improvement schemes to provide tourists with the best possible experience during their stay. Simon Hill, Parking Manager at the Lake District National ..read more