ITS (UK) membership drive sees ten new members join in two months
Transport technology manufacturers, SMEs, a start-up and a Local Authority are among ten organisations to join the UK’s Intelligent Transport Society this summer. ITS (UK) launched a membership drive earlier in the year to widen the expertise in the industry association beyond the 150 members, many of whom have been involved since it was set […]
MPs want drivers to charge EVs at night to avoid overwhelming the National Grid
MPs are warning that electric cars could cause blackouts if drivers don’t charge them at night. The Telegraph reports that the transport committee is telling ministers that the power grid will come under increasing strain as more drivers go electric, so they need to be convinced to charge at off-peak times. It says the Government […]
Birmingham looks to cut rat running to reduce car use
People in Birmingham are being consulted on plans to separate the city into segments which are split from each other except for the main ring road. The council thinks it’ll improve air quality and help achieve carbon targets. The scheme will see the city centre divided into a number of segments, each accessible from the […]
GM sues Ford over hands-free branding
General Motors is suing rival Ford over claims it’s violated a trademarked driver-assist technology that’s used for hands-free features. Bloomberg reports that GM says it’s taking action to protect the Cruise and Super-Cruise brands after Ford renamed its Co-Pilot360 automated driving system as “Blue Cruise”. The report says that GM says talks to resolve the […]
Digital Twin of road network moves closer thanks to Gaist and TRL tie-up
TRL and Gaist are collaborating to develop a national digital twin of the road network in a project they say could revolutionise how we plan and manage our roads. Gaist, whose expertise is in roadscape insight and intelligence services, is to explore with TRL what the detailed case is for a digital twin of the […]
JCT introduces Covid safeguards for September’s Traffic Signals Symposium
The organisers of the popular JCT Traffic Signals Symposium in Nottingham are putting in a number of measures to reassure any would-be delegates who may be concerned about mingling with people that everything will be done to ensure their health and safety. The venue, Nottingham Trent University, is enhancing its cleaning schedules and sanitisation, while […]
EV industry could face battery shortage
As the car industry cuts back on production because of a shortage of computer chips, the materials used in electric vehicle batteries could be the next thing to be in short supply. A Chinese manufacturer has told Bloomberg that rising demand from electric vehicles and challenges in securing raw materials will deliver a “battery supply […]
Labour members in London vote to cancel Silvertown Tunnel
One of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s flagship transport plans is being opposed by his own party in the capital. The Labour London conference has voted 74%-26% in favour of a motion to cancel the Silvertown Tunnel project despite construction only just getting underway. MyLondon reports that the motion was brought forward by local branches of […]
Driverless start-up Aurora valued at $13 billion
The Amazon-backed driverless start-up Aurora is going to be publicly listed, valued at $13 billion, which is roughly £9.4 billion. An article on the Nasdaq website confirms it had agreed to merge with a Silicon Valley “blank cheque firm” backed by financiers Reid Hoffman and Mark Pincus. It says the deal with Reinvent Technology Partners […]
LTNs “force trades to hike prices”
It’s being claimed that trades such as builders, plumbers and electricians are having to raise their prices to cover the extra travelling costs caused by low traffic neighbourhoods in London. The Daily Telegraph says it’s spoken to people who have had to increase their charges by up to 25% because it’s taking them much longer […]