Highways Voices: Cutting through the carbon confusion – who really owns net zero in highways?
With pressure on local authorities to demonstrate meaningful progress towards net zero, today’s Highways Voices moves beyond the jargon and tackles one of the biggest challenges facing highways teams: who is actually responsible for reducing carbon, and where do you start? First published a year ago, our guest, Zoe Sterling-Wall, who at the time was […]
Lyft and Baidu enter London’s ‘robotaxi battleground’
Chinese tech giant Baidu has started testing autonomous vehicles in London as part of its partnership with Lyft and Freenow, the German taxi and multi-mobility app that Lyft now owns. Baidu is the latest in a string of companies to test self-driving technology in the UK ahead of commercial robotaxi deployments, says TechCrunch. The testing, […]
Does roadbuilding need a ‘golden thread’?
As the golden thread of information continues to redefine accountability and traceability in construction, Dr Paul Phillips, Technical Director at Associated Asphalt, draws on his experience at the UK’s busiest airports and wonders if advances such as rapid-setting materials to two-lane paving techniques can help deliver critical infrastructure projects faster, safer and with minimal disruption […]
US Senate committee approves bill to ban Chinese connected vehicle technology
Legislation in the US Senate that would ban the sale of vehicles and vehicle technology linked to countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, including Chinese LiDAR systems used in some autonomous vehicles, has cleared its first Congressional hurdle, according to US-based trucking news website CCJ Digital. The “Connected Vehicle Security Act (SB 4429)” […]
Almost three-quarters of cyclists say distracted drivers put them at risk
Near misses on Britain’s roads have become so common that almost three quarters (71%) of road users experience one at least once a month, according to new research commissioned by National Accident Helpline. The nationwide study of 2,000 adults found driver error remains one of the biggest causes of these incidents, with nearly three in ten […]
London councils accused of turning e-bike operators into ‘revenue stream’
London boroughs are imposing steep fee rises and increasing enforcement charges on e-bike operators as the industry’s heavyweights warn that councils are increasingly treating them as a ‘cash cow’. One London borough increased annual operating fees more than five-fold in a single year without adding any extra parking bays, reports London financial newspaper City AM. Across […]
ITS UK welcomes new Transport Ministers following role confirmation
ITS UK has welcomed today’s confirmation of ministerial responsibilities at the Department for Transport following last week’s reshuffle, highlighting the inclusion of ‘AI and Technology’ within ministerial portfolios. Max Sugarman, Chief Executive of ITS UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome Minister Justin Madders to the roads brief and are particularly pleased to see ‘AI […]
Wandsworth calls for Mayor of London to take responsibility for Hammersmith Bridge
Wandsworth Council has demanded responsibility for Hammersmith Bridge to be transferred to the Mayor of London, so the capital can finally secure a credible, funded plan to fully restore the strategic river crossing that has been the subject of much debate. The call follows Hammersmith & Fulham’s recommendation that available funding should focus only on […]
The end is nigh for Kent’s Operation Brock
Kent County Council (KCC) has secured £20 million of government funding for a major scheme at the Port of Dover which is expected to dramatically reduce the need for Operation Brock and ease congestion across Kent’s road network. The Dover Border Access Improvement Project (DBAIP) is the culmination of several years of work led by […]
Shropshire reverses controversial floating bus stop scheme
Shropshire Council has voted to remove the controversial Castle Foregate cycle lane and floating bus stop at the Shrewsbury Station Gyratory, marking a significant reversal of one of the most contentious transport schemes delivered under the Big Town Plan (BTP). The decision follows sustained criticism from residents, local businesses, disability campaigners, public transport operators and […]