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Trafficware has released Version 2.6 of its ATMS.now central traffic management system, adding greater functionality with a new subscription-based parking detection capability and enabling transportation authorities to automate the collection of parking data. The new parking detection module, using Trafficware’s patented wireless pod detection system, allows transportation agencies to aggregate this vehicle detection data into their central traffic management command centre. ATMS.now 2.6 release incl

The US Department of Transportation’s (US DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has published its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for public comment by 12 April 2017. This document proposes to establish a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) to require all new light vehicles to be capable of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications, such that they will send and receive basic safety messages to and from other vehicles. The proposal contains V2V communication perfo

In his speech at the National Roads Policing Conference, Roads Minister Andrew Jones announced that 8,500 drivers were convicted of drug driving in 2016, the first full year since the legislation changed in March 2015. In 2014, only 879 drivers were convicted. The new legislation makes it illegal in England and Wales to drive with certain drugs in the body above specified levels, including eight illegal drugs and eight prescription drugs. Those caught drug-driving face a minimum 12-month driving ban, up

As part of its drive to create a greener, healthier city, Westminster City Council in London is set to trial emissions-based charging for diesel cars parking within Marylebone. In a pilot programme to be introduced from 3 April 2017, the charge for pay-to-park bays during normal parking hours will be raised specifically within F zone for diesel cars, some of the heaviest of polluting vehicles. This will apply to visitors into Marylebone, with resident permits remaining unchanged. The surcharge will ad

Highways England has teamed up with 18 companies to help improve journeys for road users in Cumbria, North Lancashire and the North East of England. A new style framework, worth up to US$543 million (£434 million) will start on 1 April 2017. The Construction Works Framework covers 10 different specialisms of work, is split into 15 separate lots and will run for four years. The framework covers a range of activities that include renewal work to roads and bridges, and improvement schemes on the Highways

The city of West Bend in Wisconsin, US, is to upgrade its traffic pre-emption solution to Global Traffic Technologies’ (GTT) Opticom, which works alongside intersection controllers to help ensure emergency vehicles can move through intersections rapidly and safely. The Opticom emergency vehicle pre-emption (EVP) system in West Bend is used by both fire and police vehicles. It has been deployed to two of the city’s busiest intersections and 49 vehicles. There are plans to expand to further intersections i

Volvo Buses has unveiled a pedestrian and cyclist detection system for buses, which it plans to introduce on its European city bus vehicles in 2017.

The Texas Automated Vehicle (AV) Proving Ground is one of ten sites designated as an automated vehicle proving ground. Formed by an alliance that includes the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), other members are the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Transportation Research (CTR), and 32 municipal and regional partners. The Texas group plans to offer a full and varied range of testing environments, from