News

The Spanish construction firm ACS is tendering for the construction and operation of four bridges in the US. The firm is tendering in partnership with some other US and international firms for some of the projects, which are worth a total of US$11.4 billion. The Tappan Zee project is expected to cost $5 billion and the deal will be for a design and construction contract. The bridge will be located in New York, is being developed by New York State Thruway Authority and will require two, four-carriageway brid

A dramatic fall in traffic accidents last week has been directly linked to the three-day disruption in BlackBerry services, according to an article in The National, the English language newspaper published by Abu Dhabi Media.In Dubai, traffic accidents fell 20 per cent from average rates on the days BlackBerry users were unable to use its messaging service.

The European Commission has tabled a plan which will fund €50 billion (US$68.7 billion) worth of investment to improve Europe's transport, energy and digital networks. It has also announced the Europe 2020 Project Bond Initiative which will be one of a number of risk-sharing instruments upon which the facility may draw in order to attract private finance in projects.

Boston-Massachusetts headquartered OLEV Technologies has been appointed the exclusive north and south American licensee responsible for commercialising the OLEV (On Line Electric Vehicle) technology, a zero emission green transportation technology, invented at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)."OLEV technology is a proven, safe and cost-effective green transportation solution that can be deployed today," said Dr. Hikyu Lee, president & CEO of OLEV Technologies.

VAB, the association of Flemish drivers, has said that the new hard shoulder running scheme on the E313 motorway between Antwerp and Liege during rush hours has reduced travel time by 50 per cent.

A preliminary study on the proposed tunnel connecting the islands of Malta and Gozo has been carried out by Mott Macdonald. Mott Macdonald’s preliminary analysis of the Malta-Gozo undersea road link suggests that it would take 5-7 years to build a tunnel between the two islands. This report suggests a cost of €156-€492 million for a single bore three-lane tunnel on the shortest practical alignment route. Potentially, the project could be co-financed by the EU under the Cohesion Fund if a road tunnel link be

Ertico - ITS Europe and ITS China have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will open up new areas of cooperation and business opportunities. Both organisations have pledged to intensify efforts to share information about areas of mutual benefit and step up the organisation of demonstrations and workshops where Ertico and ITS China partners can exchange R&D and commercial opportunities

A new study by researchers at the University of Bologna in Italy suggests that young drivers are twice as likely to have a crash if they felt sleepy at the wheel or have had problems sleeping. The study of students found that 56% who'd been involved in at least one accident said they had driven despite feeling sleepy, compared with 35% of those who had not been in a crash. According to the UK motoring organisation the RAC, driver sleepiness is estimated to account for around 20% of accidents on major roads

Transportation project development in Vietnam will be using cement instead of asphalt. A plan for the switch to cement through 2020 will be drafted by the Department of Planning and Investment. The plan will have a vision through 2020. A deal to support such switch has been entered by the Ministries of Construction and Transport. A pilot for the cement usage will take place with the development of a road stretching 25 km to link Cau Gie-Ninh Binh and Hanoi-Haiphong expressways. Longevity of the roads will b

The authorities in Russia's Kranosyarsk region plan to set up a regional road fund for 2012 worth some US$279 million. Some of the funds will be spent on a fourth bridge over the Esiney River. Rural roads will also benefit from the regional road fund, with additional backing from Russia's Federal Government.

Iteris has announced Vantage Vector, the latest addition to its portfolio of Vantage vehicle detection solutions. The new device, which fuses the company's proven video detection with radar sensor technology to extend the range and richness of detection data, will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2012.

Main road building projects in the Chinese city of Zhongshan are expected to cost US$5.45billion between 2011 and 2015. The $1.89billion bill for two new highways, which will cover a combined length of 80km, is due to be settled by Guangdong province authorities.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is testing a first-in-the-USA detection system that alerts drivers in real time of wildlife on highways that cause risk to motorists. The OmniTrax solution from Senstar is based on a volumetric electromagnetic proven sensor, buried approximately one third of a metre underground and about 10 metres from either side of the roadway.

Aegis ITS, an Econolite Group company, has announced it will merge with fellow Econolite Group company, Team Econolite, to form a single division - Aegis ITS. The consolidation, effective 1 January, 2012, is designed to provide complete ITS services, streamlining operational processes for enhanced customer service