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As the cost of global congestion inches towards the $1 trillion mark, key economies including Europe, North America, Japan and China amongst others prepare for a green-commute blueprint. Some 16 of the key automotive OEMs are working on more than 110 short distance vehicles, with approximately 50 models being already production ready. The remaining 60 are in concept stage, but expected to become production ready by 2020. The emergence of such micro-mobility vehicles is expected to fight congestion, ease par

China BAK Battery, a manufacturer of lithium-based battery cells, has announced that the company has received a US$1.9 million subsidy for its battery module project from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). Comprised of cylindrical cells that can be used in electric vehicles (EVs), electric motors, electric bicycles (e-bikes) and power storage, the government funds will be used to further develop the battery module's efficiency an

For the ninth time, the European Satellite Navigation Competition (ESNC) is looking for the world's best ideas for applications in the field of satellite navigation. HPI Fleet, a European independent fleet management company, is supporting the ESNC 2012 as the new title sponsor and is looking for innovative ideas that facilitate the mobility of people. This is also the first year in which the European Commission is funding the competition's prize pool and Nokia Location & Commerce will be providing further

The organisers of the inaugural UrbanTec China Conference event, and held as part of the annual China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), from 28 May to 1 June, have announced that Siemens Infrastructure & Cities sector is participating as a full event sponsor. With special focus on the sustainable development of cities, the two-day conference is driven by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality. The inaugural UrbanTec China Conference brings together

Carlos Ghosn, Nissan Motor Company's chief executive officer, has unveiled initiatives in automotive communications technology intended to move Nissan and Infiniti into a leadership position in the connected car content and services market. In announcing the collaboration with companies such as Google, Pandora Radio and Intel at the New York International Auto Show, Ghosn said, "It's clear that consumers expect to be connected wherever they are, and that includes the time spent in their automobiles. To mee

Iteris has announced it has shipped its first orders of Vantage Vector, the new flagship sensor of the Vantage vehicle detection family. The company says the Vector is the industry's first vehicle detection sensor that combines video and radar technologies to provide a broader range of detection functions. Building on the proven benefits of video-based vehicle detection, Iteris says Vector's extended detection range enables important advances in intersection safety and data collection.

McCain has won a three-year contract to supply around 900 traffic controller cabinets to North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDoT) which will include North Carolina versions of both the 332 and 336S. The base mounted 332 controller cabinet has an industry reputation of being durable and offers plenty of inside space, while the 336S is smaller and ideal for pole mounting. Both cabinets' designs include environmental friendly, mercury-free construction, energy efficient power supply, and ‘normally e

Ohio Department of Transportation (ODoT) has entered into a public private partnership with SpeedInfo which will see more than 1,000 solar-powered vehicle radar sensors deployed along important metro-corridor interstate and state roads. Traffic data from SpeedInfo sensors continuously feed ODoT's web-based system for traffic management and real-time road speeds and travel times are available through www.buckeyetraffic.org. The advanced system also distributes travel time information to an expanding network

Iteris has been awarded the prime contract from the US Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) for the National Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture Evolution and Support programme, with a value of up to US$12.4 million over a five-year period. Over the last fifteen years, Iteris has provided the US federal government support in developing the National ITS Architecture and facilitating its implementation across the country. This task order-based contract, which is expected

Figures published by the European Commission have revealed that there has been a significant slow-down in the reduction of road traffic fatalities throughout the European Union (EU) during the past year of 2011. This is despite significant progress being achieved through the EU's Road Safety Action Plan 2001-2011. Throughout the duration of this plan, EU road deaths reduced by an average of six per cent every year, yet in 2011 this rate of reduction decreased to an average of two per cent. Indeed, some memb

According to Dutch automotive association and tourism group ANWB, there was an estimated 30 per cent year-on-year decrease in the number of traffic jams in the Netherlands in the first quarter of 2012. This comes as the Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch department for infrastructure maintenance, invested more in the construction of new motorway lanes in recent years. The A2 motorway between Amsterdam and Utrecht has been expanded to ten lanes, and this reduced congestion by 25 per cent alone in 2011. In the short

Siemens Industry and Streetline have announced an advanced parking solution combining smart parking meters, sensors and applications to provide cities with flexible parking options for residents and visitors while reducing traffic congestion in downtown areas. The advanced parking solution makes it easier for motorists to locate and pay for parking by providing real-time data to motorists through a free smartphone application that guides drivers to available parking spaces. The application uses information

A workshop "ITS for Smart Cities: the Verona model" organised by the Municipality of Verona, in collaboration with TTS Italia, is being held on 16 April to provide an opportunity to present and discuss initiatives undertaken by the city of Verona in support of intelligent and sustainable mobility and to assess the results and benefits. The opening session will be a welcome by the mayor of the Italian city and will include presentations by the local councillor for mobility and by a representative of the Ital

The first full vehicle prototype of the Taxi of Tomorrow, the 2014 Nissan NV200, is being featured at the 2012 New York International Auto Show which is open to the public from 6-16 April. After a rigorous, two-year competitive bid selection process, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) selected the Nissan NV200 Taxi in May 2011 as the exclusive taxi of New York City, beginning in late 2013. The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, the Design Trust for Public Space and Smart Design also ha