Port Mann Bridge BC has RFP out for all-electronic highway speed toll system

California's old Title 21 electronic toll (ET) system spec written nearly 20 years ago by engineers at Hughes - long since departed ET - has life still. It is a requirement in the toll system RFP for the big new Port Mann toll bridge to carry Canada's Highway 1 over the Fraser River 24km (15 miles) east of Vancouver.

Advertisement:

read more

NTTA staffing-up to cut contractors & will recompete consulting contracts (LOCAL REPORT)

North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) are breaking with their practice of relying heavily on contracted consultant firms for legal, engineering, planning and financial services in favor of hiring staff. And they plan to recompete consulting contracts in place for years by periodic negotiation.

read more

TransCore owner Roper buys United Toll Systems

Roper Industries, Inc (NYSE: ROP) owners of TransCore say they have bought toll system supplier United Toll Systems LLC (UTS), until now privately held by founder, CEO/President Jim Allen of Montgomery Alabama.

read more

Tollers to repay $1.4m, waive $41m+ in S Cal to settle toll violation debt cases

Southern California tollers have agreed to repay about $1.4m and to waive $41m or an estimated 29% of accumulated toll violation penalties owing for violations since early 2003. They have also agreed to make major revisions to their handling of future violations.

read more

Minnesota moving steadily toward more tolls/pricing

Minnesota is moving cautiously toward more road pricing following good results from price-managed lanes on I-394 and I-35W, radials to the west and south of Minneapolis. The lanes generically called HOT lanes provide free travel for carpools and transit vehicles and admit others for a toll that varies according to available surplus capacity.

read more

Free flowing traffic good for babies' health - study based on ET startup dates

A study using data from several northeastern tollers before and after E-ZPass electronic toll collection (ETC) finds the reduced tailpipe emissions from free flowing traffic produces a marked improvement in infant health.

read more

TCA third laning on 241TR opened, 4th laning of 73 SJ Hills TR ongoing

Transportation Corridors Agencies who run The Toll Roads in Orange County California celebrated the opening of a third lane each direction at the 241 or Foothill/Eastern Toll Road this week. For about 6km (4 miles) each direction third lanes have been added in the median of the far northern end of the 241 right up to the connector ramps of the interchange with the CA91 freeway.

read more

North Carolina defers tag & reader choice to mid-Jan but finalizing roadside, back office, ops Nov 15

North Carolina Turnpike Authority now envisage making their choice of tag/reader system mid-January, three months later than anticipated. Jim Eden chief operating officer says the procurement - formally "Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) Technology" - is the most difficult and far-reaching, and that they need time to get the decision right.

read more

PA/I-80 toll valuation consultant runs jails, does deceptive name change

An obscure company whose main expertise is jails is key financial advisor to the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in their application to the Feds for permission to toll I-80.

read more

Turnpike on alert for legal gridlock - Brimmeier memo

Eric Heyl of Pittsburgh's Tribune Review obtained the following memo under what he calls the federal Freedom of Imagination Act:

To: All Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission employees

From: Joseph Brimmeier, Turnpike CEO

Re: Keeping you informed

read more

Exhibit Space Going Fast for ITS America's 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9, 2009 ITS America's Annual Meeting & Exposition is a major gathering of transportation and technology professionals who evaluate, assess, recommend, or select equipment, systems and services to aid in the deployment of ITS technologies.

Traffic Alert: Drivers To Face West End Circle Closures This Week

Road work seeking to reshape the West End Circle is causing lane closures for drivers this week.

'Smart' network of roads could create safer highways

Fifteen years after the idea of regional transportation management was first imagined, a $14.5 million complex devoted to creating a network of "smart" highways in southeast Louisiana has risen on a spit of neutral ground in the middle of the Pontchartrain Expressway where Metairie meets New Orleans.

'Smart' roads network is getting into gear

Fifteen years after the idea of regional transportation management was first imagined, a $14.5 million complex devoted to creating a network of "smart" highways in southeast Louisiana has risen on a spit of neutral ground in the middle of the Pontchartrain Expressway where Metairie meets New Orleans.

US and Australia dominate MAGIC robot competition short list

Robots from the US and Australia dominate the shortlist of entries for the first round of the Multi-Autonomous Ground-robotic International Challenge , sponsored by the US Department of Defense and Australia's Defence Science & Technology Organisation .

Iteris Ships Over 150,000 Machine-Vision Sensors Worldwide

Iteris Inc. , a leader in the traffic management market that focuses on the application and development of advanced technologies, announces that the Company has shipped over 150,000 machine-vision sensors to public and private sector clients worldwide.

150,000th Iteris Sensor Hits the Road

Iteris, Inc. , a leader in the traffic management market that focuses on the application and development of advanced technologies, today announced that the Company has shipped over 150,000 machine-vision sensors to public and private sector clients worldwide.

Funds will let PennDOT eyeball traffic

Work started Thursday on a $13.6 million federal stimulus-funded project to install Intelligent Transportation System components on I-95, the same kind that are helping PennDOT keep tabs on the impact of SEPTAa s strike .

Another new owner for C.R. transit software firm

Posted on Nov 04, 2009 by David DeWitte . A new Canadian parent could be a positive for a Cedar Rapids producer of GPS-based intelligent transit systems used on buses and fleet vehicles that has been through several owners.

MIT and National Research Foundation of Singapore Launch Project on...

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the National Research Foundation of Singapore launched a new project to develop new models and tools for the planning, design, and operation of future urban transportation.

Economic impact of public transportation investment

SEI to become telematics call centre provider for BMW Assist in Europe

Tele Atlas licenses Intermaps 3D terrain models

Trafficscience to launch in Russia

Viajeo demonstration project gets underway

Balancing Infrastructure Reinvestment with System Expansion

TRB’s Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) Research Results Digest 92: Balancing Infrastructure Reinvestment with System Expansion explores how public transport agencies in Australia are balancing the need to increase capacity and expand service while maintaining and upgrading their existing bus, tram, rail, and ferry infrastructure.

Review on Deploying Passenger Checkpoint Screening Technologies

The Government Accountability Office has released a report that examines the efforts made by the Transportation Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to prioritize technology investment and deploy passenger checkpoint screening technologies.

ITTS Newsletter: November 2009

The Institute for Trade and Transportation Studies has released the latest issue of its periodic newsletter that reports on the domestic and international infrastructure, transportation, and safety implications of commercial freight movements.

UNCTAD Transport Newsletter: Second and Third Quarters 2009

The latest issue of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) quarterly Transport Newsletter is now available. UNCTAD promotes the development-friendly integration of developing countries into the world economy.

Bridge Health Monitoring and Inspections - A Survey of Methods

The Center for Transportation Studies at the University of Minnesota has released a report that explores methods used by commercial companies that offer bridge monitoring systems, offers a set of criteria to consider when selecting health monitoring systems, and describes a program that can help bridge owners determine which companies offer the particular system that would meet their bridge monitoring needs.

Innovation News Briefs

Assistive robot, solar-powered monorail, universal chargers fit all phones, high-altitude wind generation, from bus to bus shelter, solar car race across Australia.

$151 Million Awarded for Energy Research Projects

"Pie in the sky mad science" to "so crazy it just might work."

Taxi Drivers Watch Television Behind the Wheel

Digital Media Broadcasting (DMB) beams television to more than 17 million mobile screens including those on the dashboards of taxis.

Power Management Solution Reduces Police Car Dead Batteries, Emissions

The Dallas Police Department piloted anti-idling technology that operates a car's electrical system while it's turned off. Laptops, lights, radios and other equipment are powered.

New York City Ferry Passengers get GPS Bus Schedule Data

A cellular-based GPS system.

Vermont Utilities Receive $69 Million for Smart Grid Rollout

Smart grid projects will include a statewide fiber-optic build-out that enhances Vermont's grid, improves interconnections with surrounding states and Quebec, and facilitates statewide broadband.

Technology Improves Boston Traffic Management

Accomplished using the city's recently deployed fiber-optic network, originally built for the purpose of better connecting city facilities.

Stealth Wind Turbines Reduce Interference With Radar

The stealth turbine solution uses a portfolio of radar absorbing materials.

Electric Vehicle Batteries Could Reduce Household Peak Power Demand

Vehicle-to-home is a simple first step toward a mass vehicle-to-grid system.

San Diego Upgrades Towing System

"Will shorten tow response times and reduce the administrative burden on our Police Department."

Frederick County Government Offices & Frederick County Public Libraries Will be Closed Veterans Day

On Wednesday, November 11, offices and public libraries will be closed. Curbside recycling & TransIT services will run on their normal schedules, but TransIt-Plus will not be in operation.

Questions about Seasonal & H1N1 Flu?

For information regarding seasonal and pandemic H1N1 flu visit the Health Department's flu information page at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/flu. [Link to flu info page .

Deaths increase at building sites,

Safety measures are far from adequate The number of workers killed in accidents on building sites in the city has dramatically increased because of understaffed inspection offices, failure to provide adequate safety equipment and a lack of labour safety knowledge.

Life is Good Company Travel Mugs Recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission today announced a voluntary recall of the Fall 2009 Newbury Life is Good Company Travel Mugs.

Samsung Over-The-Range Microwaves Recalled Due to Shock Hazard

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Samsung Electronics America Inc., today announced a voluntary recall of the Samsung Over-the-Range Microwave Ovens.

EVENTS: List of Upcoming Conferences Updated

The list of upcoming Conferences has been updated. Among the updated information:
* Online papers submission for the 2010 ITSA Annual Meeting & Exposition (May 2010 in Texas) opens Nov. 1, 2009.
* The 2010 National Rural ITS Conference will be held on Aug. 1-4, 2010, in Huntington, West Virginia.
Check the ITS Midwest Events for details...

Intelligent Transportation Society of America releases 2008-2009 annual report

The Intelligent Transportation Society of America has released its 2008-2009 annual report. The report summarizes the work, initiatives, and accomplishments for the organization from Jan. 2008 through June 2009 and discloses the financial health of the association.
For more information see the related ITS Midwest News Release...

ITS America announces call for papers for 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition

The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) is accepting submissions for papers for its 20th Annual Meeting & Exposition, "Connecting Communities through Smart Transportation Solutions." The three-day event will be held from May 3-5, 2010 in Houston, TX.
For more information see the related ITS Midwest News Release...

EVENTS: List of Events and Webinar Updated

The list of Events and upcoming Webinars has been updated.
In 2011, the U.S. will host the World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems from October 16-20 in Orlando, Florida. In order to facilitate planning efforts, the Technology Demonstration Committee invites interested organizations to submit a pre-application to participate in the World Congress technology demonstrations.
There is also new information available about the upcoming "Talking Freight" seminars: registration is now open for "Security and System Resiliency" planned for Nov. 18, 2009 and "Freight Fee Structures" planned for Dec. 16, 2009. Additional information about these webinars is also available.
Check the ITS Midwest Events for details...

"Expanded Regional Gateway Traveler Information System" is ITS Project of the Year 2009

As every year one or more ITS projects are chosen to receive the ITS Midwest Project of the Year Award.
The Project of the Year Award is based on merit and significance of the project to the ITS Community. This year the award went to the "Expanded Regional Gateway Traveler Information System" by Illinois DOT/UIC.
For more information see the related ITS Midwest News Release...

Final Annual Meeting Program - ITSMW Annual Meeting

The Final Annual Meeting Program is available: download it now from the ITS Midwest web site.
See you in Indianapolis tomorrow!
Download Annual Meeting Program now!

EVENTS: Upcoming Webinars List Updated

The list of upcoming Webinars has been updated. There is new information available about the "Overview and Use of Transit Operations Decision Support Systems (TODSS)" webinar planned for Oct. 21, 2009.
Check the ITS Midwest Events for details...

Updated: Annual Meeting Program - ITSMW Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting Program has been updated: download now the latest version from the ITS Midwest web site.
The ITS Midwest Annual Meeting offers your company maximum exposure to an audience of ITS professionals and decision makers interested in an array of ITS services, products, and solutions. Exhibiting or sponsorship at the Annual Meeting is an effective means to increase your visibility before a cross-section of ITS professionals.
Download Annual Meeting Program now!

Updated: Annual Meeting Program - ITSMW Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting Program has been updated: download now the latest version from the ITS Midwest web site.
The ITS Midwest Annual Meeting offers your company maximum exposure to an audience of ITS professionals and decision makers interested in an array of ITS services, products, and solutions. Exhibiting or sponsorship at the Annual Meeting is an effective means to increase your visibility before a cross-section of ITS professionals.
Download Annual Meeting Program now!

Cutoff Date for Preferred Hotel Rates is tomorrow - ITSMW Annual Meeting

The cutoff date for the preferred hotel rates is tomorrow, Thursday 10/1/09.
Reserve your hotel room now!

Solar Innovator Named One of Canada’s Top 10 Cleantech Companies

Cleantech 10 list pinpoints the top publicly traded Cleantech companies in Canada.

Top News: TriCounty Link Kicks off New Rural Commuter Route

Approximately 40 people attended the TriCounty Link event to celebrate the first anniversary of the Commuter Solutions program and to help kick-off a fourth commuter route serving Cross, St. Stephens and Bonneau.

Screen-Safe Work Zone/Median Glare Screen Chosen by Mn/DOT

Transpo Industries announced that its Screen-Safe Work Zone/Median Glare Screen was chosen by the Mn/DOT to replace a failed green paddle system on the I-35E in St. Paul.

The T wins two top awards from the North Texas Clean Air Coalition

Fort Worth transit agency cited for commuter and employee initiatives and a “ model” natural gas fleet.

CSX Becomes First Transportation Provider to Join Maryland Green Registry

CSX is the first transportation provider selected to join the Maryland Green Registry, a voluntary self-certification program that promotes and recognizes sustainable practices by organizations throughout the state.

Continental Public Transit is Now Trapeze ITS

ABC Companies Announces Deliveries

ABC delivers vehicles to Pine Hill Trailways, Virginia Coach Company, Bestway Charter Transportation and Hola Bus Inc.

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. Achieves Zero Waste to Landfill Status

Comprehensive recycling efforts result in elimination of solid waste disposal.

More Top News

MassTransitMag.com: Industry Announcements

IntelliDriveSM Working Group Meeting 10/29-10/30

The next IntelliDriveSM Working Group Meeting will take place October 29-30, in the Detroit metropolitan area. The purpose of this meeting is for the major partners and stakeholders to present future plans and focus areas of the program and to discuss stakeholder involvement in all focus areas. On the first day, each of the major partners (the states, auto industry, and U.S. DOT) will discuss their upcoming plans, projects, and focus areas. Day one will end with a facilitated discussion of the Working Group structure and stakeholder involvement to accommodate new focus areas including environmental applications, mobility applications based on various communications systems, and inclusion of aftermarket devices and applications. Day two will include breakout sessions on specific focus areas for the program, including safety, mobility, and environment. The Working Group meeting will be open to members as well as other interested participants. Registration for this event is free. However, a registration form must be completed by October 23 and sent to Brei Whitty at bwhitty@itsa.org in order to attend. *IntelliDrive is a registered service mark of the US Department of Transportation. IntelliDrive was formerly known as the Vehicle-Infrastructure Integration (VII) program. More information about the program is available at http://www.intellidrive.org.

ITE Webinar on Roadway Construction and ITS Technology

TITLE: COORDINATING, PLANNING AND MANAGING THE EFFECTS OF ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION WITH ITS TECHNOLOGY DATE: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 TIME: 12:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m. Eastern SITE FEE: $15 Per Site (ITE Member/Non-member/Full-time Student) CREDIT: 2 PDH BACKGROUND: As state transportation agencies continue to utilize funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, there are opportunities to deploy intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to improve operations. While rehabilitating roadway surfaces and building new capacity, it is important to coordinate workzone planning and operations to avoid undue burdens on the traveling public and ensure safe and efficient traffic flow through individual workzones. The Web briefing will focus on ITS applications as a component of a larger workzone transportation management plan (TMP) used to facilitate the coordination of multiple Workzone projects as well as the planning, design and operation of individual workzones. It will highlight cost-effective technology applications available to state and local DOTS that can be rapidly deployed to improve workzone safety and mobility. Examples from Minnesota, Virginia, Delaware, Washington, DC and other states will be provided, as well as useful links to additional research and case studies. This Web briefing is sponsored by the U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration's Office of Operations and U.S. DOT Research Innovative Technology Administration's ITS Professional Capacity Building Program.

On a Crash Course: The Dangers and Health Costs of Deficient Roadways

A new study finds that crashes involving deficient road conditions cost $217 billion in 2006. The costs of these crashes exceed the costs of crashes involving impaired driving, speeding, or not buckling up. Deficient road conditions cause ten crashes a minute or worsen their outcomes. They contribute to more than half of all roadway deaths. Large trees, unyielding poles, and bridges are the largest culprits. The report also provides cost estimates by state.

ITS Research Strategic Plan Update #2

This is to update you on our strategic planning work. Your input was provided to the USDOT multi-modal teams who revised their research proposals based on input from you and from USDOT modal administration management. The research proposals totaled more funding than is available, assuming a continuing resolution and reauthorization at current levels. The updated proposals were reviewed by an evaluation committee of ITS Joint Program Office and modal administration staff. This committee was tasked with evaluating each of the research proposals and crafting them into a focused ITS research program designed to achieve a specific goal.

Talking Operations Web Conference: SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project Annual Performance Summary

The next Talking Operations web conference will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 from 3:00 – 4:30 PM (Eastern) on the SR 167 HOT Lanes Pilot Project in Washington State. The first year of operation on the SR 167 HOT Lanes in Washington State demonstrated that variable tolling can make better use of carpool lanes and improve traffic flow in the corridor without affecting service for carpools and buses. Traffic conditions on SR 167 in both the general purpose and HOT lanes have improved. This presentation by Craig Stone, Director of the Washington State Department of Transportation's Tolling Division, will provide a detailed review of the first year's operation and performance.

Driving and the Built Environment: The Effects of Compact Development on Motorized Travel, Energy Use, and CO2 Emissions

Transportation Research Board (TRB) Special Report 298: Driving and the Built Environment: Effects of Compact Development on Motorized Travel, Energy Use, and CO2 Emissions examines the relationship between land development patterns and vehicle miles traveled (VMT) in the United States to assess whether petroleum use, and by extension greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, could be reduced by changes in the design of development patterns. The report estimates the contributions that changes in residential and mixed-use development patterns and transit investments could make in reducing VMT by 2030 and 2050, and the impact this could have in meeting future transportation-related GHG reduction goals. To download the report, click on the link below.

Road Weather Resource Identification Tool Version 3.0 Now Available

FHWA has gathered hundreds of road weather management resources including research reports, articles, and other publications. The Road Weather Resource Identification Tool contains a database of those resources and was developed to help transportation professionals find the appropriate road weather materials to suit their needs. The tool enables the users to navigate the database via three different search options. This latest version 3.0 contains more than 950 resources for road weather management practitioners.

Talking Freight Seminar: Institutional Arrangements

This seminar will take place on September 16, 2009, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET. Public and private entities engaged with the nation's freight system have a strong desire to create effective mechanisms for planning, financing, and implementing freight projects. The ability to bridge the public and private sectors and address freight needs that stretch across regions and states have emerged as significant factors in developing effective mechanisms. Hear about recent efforts to identify structures the public sector can employ to administer and fund the implementation of multi-state/multi-jurisdictional freight transportation projects and about a set of tools being created for use by the freight community when advancing institutional arrangements for freight projects. For more information and to register, click on the link above.

2010 Environment and Energy in Transportation Summit

The Transportation Research Board (TRB) is cosponsoring the 2010 Environment and Energy in Transportation Summit on June 6-10, 2010, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The theme for the summit is "better delivery of better transportation solutions." For more information, click on the link above.

Freeway Operations; Regional Systems Management and Operations; Managed Lanes 2009

TRB's Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2099 includes 16 papers that explore dynamic message signs on toll roads, traffic flow at freeway bottlenecks, an algorithm determining congestion spillback from incidents, estimating vehicle queue length at metered on-ramps, interdependency of incident durations and secondary incidents, impact of loop detector error on traffic speed estimates, and imputation of ramp flow data. This issue of the TRR also examines automatic freeway incident detection, interface between SCOOT (split cycle and offset optimization technique) and geographic information systems platform for congestion management, traffic management of special events in small communities, standard operating procedures for enhanced regional transportation systems, data fusion using stationary and mobile data, impact of tolls on high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes, safety evaluation of truck lane restriction strategies, safety performance of HOV facilities, and assessing freeway lane management hot spots.