Alexa now has an in-car version
Amazon’s Alexa is a fixture in many homes, but is now available in car too. The Echo Auto is now on sale on the company’s website, offering drivers a full list of voice commands from changing music to taking phone calls and checking their diary. It connects via an audio jack or Bluetooth plugs into […]
UK’s first county-wide model for predicting traffic flows and emissions is launched
The transport modelling experts, Aimsun, have led the delivery of a large-scale model of the county of Oxfordshire that will use real-time traffic simulation to reduce congestion and harmful, traffic-related emissions. Now running live, the model was delivered for the Network Emissions/Vehicle Flow Management Adjustment (NEVFMA) project, funded by Highways England and delivered in partnership […]
ERTICO launches virtual ITS European Congress
After the forced postponement of the ITS European Congress in Lisbon, organisers ERTICO – ITS Europe are planning a virtual event for November. The full statement from the organisers is: In this “post COVID” era, in which everything – including mobility – needs to readjust, ERTICO wants to ensure that debate about mobility of the […]
Traffic grows 20% but still no morning peak
This latest travel data report from the Transport Technology Forum suggests a 20 per cent increase in road traffic volumes in the week to 14th June, yet no return to the AM peak. Each week the TTF publishes a summary of data gathered from a range of local authorities across the country, providing an overview of how public behaviour […]
GM’s boss promises company will make money from driverless division
The Chief Executive of General Motors says that the company will “unlock the value” of its autonomous subsidiary Cruise, “once it can deploy its technology”. The Detroit News quotes Barra in a Automotive Press Association webinar saying the deployment will be “quicker than most people think” based on the technology advancements she’s witnessed from the […]
Work begins on latest stretch of M62 smart motorway
Highways England has begun work on turning a stretch of the M62 between Manchester and Huddersfield into a smart motorway. The initial work between junctions 20 and 22 is to “toughen up” the hard shoulder so it can be used as a temporary lane when construction work begins next year. This will mean night closures […]
Northants shelves plans to turn speed cameras back on
Fixed speed cameras in Northamptonshire will not be turned back on, even though the county’s Chief Constable said only last month that they would be. The cameras were switched off in 2011, although left in place to deter speeding. Last month Nick Adderley told the BBC “they will be going back on.” However Police now […]
Ireland commits to spend 20% of transport budget on cycling and walking
An unprecedented €360 million (£320 million) is being earmarked for cycling and walking projects in Ireland. The pledge has been made as part of the country’s coalition agreement to form a new government, which includes the Green Party for the first time. The programme for government says 10% of transport’s capital budget will be spent […]
Oxfordshire upgrades bus lane enforcement
Oxfordshire County Council installed a new Videalert automated platform to reduce journey times and improve air quality in and around the City of Oxford by better enforcing bus lanes. The move to the new camera system is also aimed to support the increase in cyclists expected as more people are able to move around as the lockdown eases, as well as protect bus […]
ITS expert questions future of MaaS
One of the UK’s leading transport technology experts says the transport community must reconsider all it’s been planning for Mobility as a Service and shared mobility in the light of the Coronavirus crisis. Andy Graham told the weekly webinar that there is a large question mark over the thought of sharing a vehicle in a […]