TfL’s credit rating downgraded
The credit rating agency Moody’s has downgraded Transport for London’s debt, saying that the transport network’s finances have “been durably and materially weakened by the pandemic”. London’s financial paper City AM reports the agency said that the government’s unwillingness to provide “clarity” on the operator’s long-term finances meant that “this erosion in its financial strength […]
Councillors fear borough will be “overrun” by LTC workers
A councillor in the borough of Thurrock in southwest Essex is warning that the area many not be able to cope with the number of construction workers building the Lower Thames Crossing and a theme park across the Thames in north Kent. Local paper the Echo reports that Chris Stratford, senior consultant advising Thurrock Council […]
Grid Smarter Cities climbs IP league table
Newcastle-based technology house and smart city solution provider Grid Smart Cities has climbed to its highest ranking in he Metis Partners IP100 Intellectual Property League Table. The company’s ranked sixth in the top 100 for their solutions that offer the “unique ability to carve out new space in the smart city landscape, proactively solving problems […]
GLOSA trial shows dramatic environmental benefits
A system which recommends the speed drivers should approach a set of traffic signals to ensure they arrive when lights are green has been shown to significantly reduce vehicle emissions. The Transport Technology Forum’s SPATULA (Signal Phase and timing for uses; local authorities and automotive) group has analysis which shows GLOSA – Green Light Optimised […]
Jenoptik joins London’s Smart Mobility Living Lab
The ANPR technology company Jenoptik has joined the TRL-owned Smart Mobility Living Lab, a community of businesses working to achieve connected, automated, shared and electric mobility. Jenoptik joins more than 30 other companies, from multinationals to start-ups to micro-SMEs who are working closely with each other to address and solve technical challenges. Jenoptik is well […]
TTF report hits national media
A Transport Technology Forum report on traffic levels published on Highways News last week has hit national media. The report explained how latest analysis of local authority traffic data by the TTF suggests that volumes in towns and cities surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time since travel restrictions were introduced in March last year. […]
Scottish Minister says workplace parking levy “key tool” in cutting traffic
Scotland’s Transport Minister has launched a consultation with local authorities on introducing charges for people to park at work, in an attempt to encourage walking, cycling and public transport use. The levy would see employers pay an annual fee to the council for every parking space they provide for employees, with the revenue raised supporting […]
Voi adds artificial noise to e-scooters in pilot with RNIB
E-scooter provider Voi is installing sound on its vehicles in three cities in an attempt to combat pavement riding and help protect pedestrians with sight loss. The company says its engineers have designed a bespoke ‘low hum’ which will be added to itsbright coral e-scooters to alert other road users that one is approaching. It […]
Ford adds break-in alerts to European cars
Carmaker Ford has made its smartphone-connected heightened security system, SecuriAlert, available to car owners for the first time. Once activated, SecuriAlert sends a notification to the vehicle owner’s smartphone if it identifies any vehicle activity, including attempts to open doors or gain access with a key, which Ford says provides peace of mind to customers […]
Boring Company’s Las Vegas service underway
Elon Musk’s Boring Company has started operating a new service in Las Vegas cutting journey times across the city’s Convention Centre from a 45 minute walk to a two-minute ride in a Tesla. The service is designed to cope with 4,000 passengers per hour for 13 hours a day during peak conventions. The vehicles run […]