2011 ITS World Congress Conference Day 3

October 19, 2011

As dark clouds gather over Florida with the threat of an incoming tropical storm, nothing could have been more different inside the convention centre as exhibitors continue to be delighted by the excellent visitor and delegate numbers at this year’s ITS World Congress. Many expressed the show was their best ever and their enthusiasm was universal.

New product introductions continue apace and below are just selection of the highlights being shown off to transportation professionals from all over the world.

I hope you will find this information useful.

Regards,

Andrew Barriball
Publisher, ITS International

	Machine vision for ITS applications Allied Vision Technologies (AVT) is showcasing the Prosilica GT, a brand-new range of digital industrial cameras specifically designed for outdoor applications such as ITS. These compact cameras are able to operate in extreme environments and varying light conditions.

	Esri promotes online experiences Esri, which develops geographic information systems (GIS) solutions that function as an integral component in nearly every type of organisation, is pointing out the capabilities of ArcGIS.com, one of its newest online experiences.

	New electronic CVO data recorder Continental Corporation is proposing an Electronic OnBoard Recorder (EOBR) to the US market which will allow commercial vehicle drivers to conform to pending legislation which requires that Hours of Service (HoS) and other information be stored electronically rather than in paper logs.

	Point Grey’s dash of animal magic Point Grey’s Zebra 2, being shown here for the first time at a traffic show, acts as both an IP camera and as an imaging camera. It can therefore be used in a classic surveillance sense, being plugged into a back-end DVR system , or for image processing applications such as license plate reading.

	EarthCam delivers updated software EarthCam announced an update to its Traffic Management Software, offering users both live video and an integrated graphical interface of traffic entering a live work zone.

	OSI Laserscan puts price in sharp focus OSI Laserscan’s T100 and T200 are third-generation laser scanning products designed specifically for traffic applications. High repetition rates allow all realistic road speeds to be monitored and an expandable beam width – up to 4 metres – allows full-width coverage of a single lane.

	Moxa expands ITS sector presence Recognising that the typical traffic management centre has robust video integration needs, high-end ethernet developer Moxa has entered the ITS industry after years of serving the industrial market.

	EDI launches new ADU Eberle Design (EDI) has announced “immediate availability” of its new Auxiliary Display Unit (ADU). The CMU ADU is a rack-mounted display module that provides an LED four-colour by 32 channel full intersection display. This is combined with a SmartMonitor interface to a CMU-212 cabinet monitor unit (CMU).

	New opportunities with iControl iControl, the next-generation traffic sensor from TMT, helps transportation agencies enhance safety, reduce congestion and manage mobility of intersections and on freeways using digital tracking radar technology.

	Clary broadens its horizons Some seven decades after its foundation, uninterruptible power supply specialist Clary Corporation is broadening its interests beyond its traditional North American market.

	Impath surveillance systems on display “It’s important that transportation agencies are able to both view and record video surveillance and then disseminate the video to interested parties—whether it’s a control centre, local authorities or a public website,” said Leo Gaessler, vp of marketing and sales for Impath Networks.

	MDL unveils latest scanner A newly-developed laser-based system capable of a variety of traffic data functions is being unveiled by Measurement Devices Limited (MDL)

	Intelight pushes X2 ATC controller Intelight is using the World Congress as the platform from which to launch its X2 Advanced Transportation Controller (ATC). The company claims the X2 is the most advanced of its type, with touchscreen-activated features.

	Beat the Traffic widens access Beat the Traffic, a traffic information application with nearly 4 million page views per month, announced at ITS World Congress that it is launching its API to selected partners, allowing third-party developers to access the company’s traffic flow and incident data.

	Arada launches comprehensive telematics system Arada Systems, specialists in advanced Wi-Fi solutions at the right price, is launching a comprehensive telematics 802.11p DSRC/WAVE system at this year’s ITS World Congress. The solution includes on-board units (OBUs), road-side units (RSUs), battery-operated DSRC tolling tags, high-power 600mW embedded cards with full diversity, as well as the world’s first SD, USB and 802.11n based DSRC cards operating at 5.9GHz.

	Navigating a way to Garmin Garmin International is showcasing a breadth of intuitive user interfaces and technologies for aviation, marine and automotive navigation and infotainment systems that are said to be proven designs that help reduce driver distraction and increase operator efficiency.

	Intelligent NETworks from Delcan Delcan’s Intelligent NETworks advanced transportation management system (ATMS) is sweeping the industry with 25 installations in the last four years, including eight statewide deployments in the United States.

	Gardasoft technology illuminates the future As licence plate recognition systems evolve to meet increasingly detailed and high-definition needs through automatic tolling, red light violations and other ITS applications, illumination technology needs to evolve with those requirements.

	RWIS market heats up with Lufft’s NIRS31 Lufft USA’s suite of road weather information systems, other weather sensors and RWIS third-party integration capabilities are on show at this year’s ITS World Congress. The star of the company’s exhibit is the fast-selling NIRS31 non-invasive pavement condition sensor.

	IBM makes a splash in ITS IBM is known for solving complex problems, so it’s no surprise that Big Blue has made a giant splash in the ITS industry since working with Stockholm to better manage the flow of people and goods throughout the city. Since then, IBM has worked with Brisbane, Busan, Singapore and London—the last of which was the largest congestion pricing system in the world.

	ACS technology speeds up New Jersey Transit payment Building on a successful first-of-its-kind programme, NJ TRANSIT riders can now simply wave or tap their credit or debit cards on twice as many bus routes, including buses travelling to different zones in the system.

	Sensys shows its vulnerable side The increasing need to cater for vulnerable road users’ safety has inspired Sensys Networks to make its first departure from magnetic-based sensor technology.

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Expo & Events, International

2011 ITS World Congress Conference Day 2

October 19, 2011

The opening Day of the 18th ITS World Congress was a resounding success with many thousands of visitors and delegates from all corners of the world flooding the aisles of the exhibition halls and attending a host of sessions. Here, in the second of ITS International’s e-newsletters direct from the venue, is a selection of the many new products that are being debuted at this year’s mega event.

I hope you find them useful.

Regards,

Andrew Barriball
Publisher, ITS International

And the winners are…

Last night, the top innovators in the ITS industry were recognised in the 2011 Best of ITS Awards. “This is the leading awards programme in the country on transportation innovation and each of the winners are truly propelling transportation innovation forward,” said Scott Belcher, ITS America’s president and CEO

	Peek is keeping traffic issues under control Peek Traffic Corporation, which with US Traffic Corporation was awarded a procurement contract by the New York City Department of Transportation earlier this year, is highlighting its new ATC-3000 advanced traffic controller.

	Sony cameras make their mark A relative newcomer to the ITS World Congress, Sony is showcasing its line of industrial cameras from its high-definition block cameras to its latest GigE camera series.

	Telegra’s ‘one-stop shop’ message Telegra is at the World Congress to promote itself as a one-stop shop for traffic management systems for monitoring, maintaining and controlling dynamic transit activities for a variety of applications, including highways, toll roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, seaports, rail, public facilities and military bases.

	Image Sensing Systems first Image Sensing Systems (ISS) is unveiling a first here in Orlando – the company’s hugely successful RTMS G4 radar detector is now available with an IP camera option to provide the user with visual setup confirmation, data capture and verification over a TCP/IP connection.

	IRD weighs in with traffic and tolling solutions IRD (International Road Dynamics), which has built its reputation on integrating weigh-in-motion (WIM) systems with complementary products, is presenting WIMPlus solutions on its booth here at the ITS World Congress.

	Vaisala unveils RoadDSS software Road weather technology begins with the sensors on the road and ends with the software displaying the information, and just like the distance between the sensor and the software so too are the providers.

	Telvent showcase includes SmartMobility ICM With the president of Telvent Transportation North America, Patrick McGowan, serving as the chairman of the 18th ITS World Congress and the company’s CEO, Ignacio Gonzalez-Dominguez giving a keynote address during the opening ceremony, Telvent has a strong presence at this year’s conference.

	iPerform measures and manages Iteris has introduced the iPerform information management solution that utilises all available data resources to provide effective performance analysis and prediction. The software can fuse information from a full spectrum of sources including roadway sensors as well as weather and other traffic related data. Moreover, Iteris says it provides this valuable information for not only freeways, but for arterials and multi-modal forms of transportation as well.

	Siemens shows iwatch application Siemens has launched a new mobile application called iwatch based on its Sitraffic Concert traffic management solution, giving service engineers ubiquitous access to real-time traffic information on their iPads while in the field.

	NEC delivers innovation for onboard information NEC is displaying a new concept in onboard information terminals at the World Congress. The display unit has multiple functions, including navigation, traffic information services, scheduling for vehicles on pick-up and delivery duties and real time data transfer from a smartphone.

	Q-Free targets tolling first Q-Free is claiming a first for a major system solution being unveiled here in Orlando this week. The company is launching its first video based single gantry multi-lane free flow system – a fully automated system that takes front and rear pictures and tracks the vehicle through the tolling zone.

	TSS highlights Aimsun Online TSS-Transport Simulation Systems is highlighting Aimsun Online, its pioneering, real-time decision support system (DSS) for traffic forecasting and management. This software system slots right into the traffic control centre and continuously processes live field data, simulating the movement of every single vehicle inside a road network of any size, from a single highway corridor to a major world city or even a whole region.

	CS America debut CS Communication & Systèmes has announced a name change for its Intrans Group business, a specialist in the design, supply and maintenance of high performance toll systems established in the US since 1979, to CS America.

	MG Squared goes back to the future MG Squared is back on Orlando – returning to the site and event where its innovative lowering device was first introduced to the world. It was 15 years ago at the 1996 ITS World Congress here in Orlando that MG Squared displayed the first lowering device specifically designed for traffic management cameras.

	Econolite keeps Anaheim moving The world-renowned Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California attracts some 15 million visitors a year. This poses a demanding challenge for efficient traffic management on the surrounding roadways, which are subject to wide and often unpredictable swings in the volume of traffic and the directional flow.

	Sensys solves sensor puzzle Sensys Networks has completely revamped the topology of its universal solution for freeway, arterial and intersection management. A new Access Point Controller Card (APCC) has brought the processing portion of its in-road sensor system down from an above-ground location and into the traffic controller cabinet

	LeddarTech lands Morphodetection order When LeddarTech first planned to use the ITS World Congress to launch its latest innovation, the Leddar side-tec, the company didn’t know it would also be able to announce an order for around 300 of the devices from Morpho, a Safran Group subsidiary.

	Case announces new teaming Case Systems, a leading provider of wireless communication and data management technology, has announced here at the ITS World Congress that it has teamed with TrafficCast International to develop the Bluetooth Call Box (BCBX) system, enhancing public safety and mobility on the nation’s congested roadways.

	Lane-in-a-Box idea for tolling requirements ITS World Congresses are where breakthrough products often grab the imagination and this is certainly going to be the case if you visit booth 1507. You will get the first glimpse of Lane-in-a-Box, a completely new approach to the provision of roadside tolling, monitoring or management.

	Efkon’s tiny but powerful solution Visitors to the Efkon booth will have an opportunity of getting their hands on the company’s latest development – or should that be hand? Because the company’s Image to Information (I-to-I) Reader, an innovative product which builds on established technology, is tiny and weighs in at a mere 1.0kg.

	Parsons Brinkerhoff has influential Congress role Parsons Brinkerhoff’s participation at this World Congress is a fairly accurate reflection of how the company operates in the real world. PB recently celebrated 125 years of service;

Source: http://campaign.route2email.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Expo & Events, International

2011 ITS World Congress Conference Day 1

October 19, 2011

As this year’s ITS World Congress opens the doors for business, there are a host of exciting new products being introduced that have the very real potential to change the shape of surface transportation. Among them is Transcore that is using the event to premier ROVR, a GPS device with GSM communications that allows infrastructure-less tolling and includes an optional driver safety monitoring feature to reduce accidents, improve fuel economy, and decrease greenhouse gasses. Iteris has also unveiled the latest addition to its Vantage vehicle detection solutions family, the Vantage Vector, which combines video detection with radar sensor technology.

To read more about these exciting developments, and much more besides, ITS International, media partner for the event, will be sending you daily e-newsletters direct from the show. I hope you find them useful.

Regards,

Andrew Barriball
Publisher, ITS International

Kelly Gravelle of Transcore

TransCore calls on ROVR

TransCore has unveiled ROVR, a GPS device with GSM communications that allows infrastructure-less tolling and includes an optional driver safety monitoring feature shown to dramatically reduce accidents, improve fuel economy, and decrease Greenhouse gases (GHG).

Abbas Mohaddes and Greg McKhann of Iteris

Vantage Vector first look

Just last week, Iteris announced Vantage Vector, the latest addition to its portfolio of Vantage vehicle detection solutions, so delegates here will be the first to see this important new device. It’s special because it fuses the company’s proven video detection with radar sensor technology to extend the range and richness of detection data

Michael Doyle, Panos Michalopoulos, David St Amant of Econolite

Econolite and ISS: 20-Year Partnership of Advancing ITS Capabilities

This year, 2011,marks 20 years of a successful product development partnership between Econolite and Image Sensing Systems (ISS). “As a pioneering force in transportation management technology, the Econolite-ISS partnership continues to identify and address the burgeoning need in the ITS industry for automated multitasking detection tools,”

Brian Shockley of Aldis

Smart cookies at Aldis

This morning, former US secretary of transportation Mary Peters will be joining Aldis, creator of the GridSmart solution for video vehicle detection and traffic data collection, to help launch two new generations of its system.

Kjell Amesson of Kapsch

Kapsch TrafficCom put to the test

One could truthfully say these are testing times for Kapsch TrafficCom. Outside in the Technical Showcase, delegates will get a unique opportunity to test for themselves a range of ITS applications built on a 5.9 GHz DSRC platform, while on the company’s booth the talk is about the company’s latest international success.

Richard Neumann

Swarco’s suite success story

Visit the Swarco booth and you will find a suite of the latest products and solutions for better traffic flow, adaptive traffic control, traffic data acquisition and energy-efficient, LED-based signage and lighting.

Trisha Reddan and Tarah Stowe

McCain has key to sucess

Agencies, municipalities, and other entities that manage the roads know it’s not always easy or possible to upgrade infrastructure in a single step. Instead, improvements are made in due course.

J R Richardson of Raytheon

Raytheon inside out

Raytheon is inviting delegates to experience its Infrastructure BSM Generator (IBG) demonstration out in the Safety Village. IBG directly addresses the issues of early adopter and market penetration benefits of ITS by using advanced video analytics-enabled systems to generate Basic Safety Messages (BSM) for unequipped vehicles at safety critical deployment locations

Jason Morrison ofDaktronics

Daktronics lasting connections

Daktronics is here at the ITS World Congress with LED dynamic message signs for all ITS applications with a special focus on using full-colour DMS to boost message comprehension

	Aisin integrates product lines Already an industry leader in designing navigation and automatic transition systems, AISIN AW is integrating the two product lines in its new NAVI-MATIC system and demoing the product at the ITS World Congress this week.

	Bosch systems put safety first Robert Bosch is showing multiple systems at the World Congress designed to enhance driver safety. Among them is Motorcycle ABS, whose speed sensors on both wheels instantly detect a wheel locking up under braking pressure and use a hydraulic unit to momentarily reduce the braking effort to prevent the motorcycle from skidding.

	SQLstream delivers real Insight Today, here at the World Congress, sees the official launch of SQLstream ITS Insight, the first real-time solution for reducing congestion to exploit low cost wireless GPS data as a complement to existing fixed-road sensor investment.

	Wavetronix selected for ITS Moscow project ITS Moscow loves SmartSensor HD from Wavetronix and has selected the device for a nationally important project that seeks to address some of the heaviest traffic congestion in the world. The device was tested extensively prior to being selected as the traffic detection device for ITS Moscow. Source: http://campaign.route2email.com

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Expo & Events, International

18th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation systems

September 19, 2011

The Intelligent Transportation Society of America, ERTICO-ITS Europe, and ITS Asia-Pacific invite you to join the world’s leading transportation policy makers, technology, and business professionals in Orlando, Florida, from October 16-20, 2011 for the 18th World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, which will also feature ITS America’s Annual Meeting & Exposition.

Under the theme of Keeping the Economy Moving, it is sure to be the most exciting and innovative event to date with interactive technology showcases, more than 250 sessions, a 400,000 square-foot exhibit hall, and countless networking events with ITS industry leaders from across the world. Exhibitors and attendees will experience state-of-the-art demonstrations and dynamic sessions with a focus on cost-effective, practical deployment and innovation that provides users with new levels of safety, reliability, convenience, accessibility, and choice.

World Congress

The World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems is an international meeting and exhibition that rotates among three major geographic regions (Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific) annually. Only held in the United States once every three years, the 18th World Congress on Intelligent Transportation Systems will come to Orlando, Florida on October 16-20, 2011, and the world’s leading transportation policy makers, technology, and business professionals will gather in Orlando with a goal of bringing greater levels of safety, reliability and accessibility to transportation systems worldwide.

Co-sponsored by ITS America, ITS Asia-Pacific, and ERTICO-ITS Europe, the 18th World Congress is expected to draw over 10,000 delegates from more than 65 countries, including legislators, ministers of transportation, transportation officials, international standards experts, engineers, manufacturers, and other ITS stakeholders. The 18th World Congress, which will also feature ITS America’s Annual Meeting and Exposition, will host interactive technology showcases, more than 250 sessions, a 350,000 square-foot exhibit hall, and countless networking events with ITS industry leaders from across the world.

Source:itsworldcongress.org

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Expo & Events, International

Toll Roads in China: Speeding Up Growth

January 12, 2011

Infrastructure has played an instrumental role in the Chinese economy’s ascent to the position of a global economic powerhouse. And the overarching importance of infrastructure in China was underscored yet again when the sector grabbed a 38% lion’s share of the $586 billion Chinese stimulus package introduced in November 2008. Out of all the infrastructure sectors, the effort to improve the country’s roads has received the strongest impetus and investment from the Chinese government. According to consulting firm KPMG, since 2000 China’s expressway network has been growing on an average of 20% per year. With this, the country has zoomed to the second position globally in terms of expressway network, next only to the U.S.

Driving forces of road construction

Source: Infrastructure in China: Foundation for Growth, KPMG, 2009

Outlined in a series of five-year plans, the development of infrastructure in the Chinese economy has remained an integral part of its economic development initiatives, But expressway construction in China only gained momentum in 1989, when the forces of economic liberalization were gathering steam. As a result of these comprehensive economic reforms, the Chinese economy surged to an average annual growth rate of 9% in the three decades spanning 1978-2008, a remarkable achievement. Driven by industrial production and exports, this higher economic growth was naturally accompanied by a greater demand for freight transport, which in turn created a demand for construction of new roads. Higher living standards along with improved levels of domestic consumption further added to this transport demand. What’s more, China’s zooming car sales and its emergence as the largest car market globally in 2009, also necessitated the quick construction of highways and expressways. Notably, the building of highways is a crucial factor in the country’s “Go West” policy aimed for the integrated development of central and western China, which lags behind the more economically prosperous east, as well as some parts of the north¹ .

National Trunk Highway System: Backbone of China’s road network

Source: Infrastructure in China: Foundation for Growth, KPMG, 2009

China’s ambitious National Trunk Highway System (NTHS), launched in 1990 originally envisaged 35,000 kilometers (21,748 miles) of expressways that would link all the major cities with each other as well as the ports. While this core of the Chinese transport system, covering a population of almost one billion, was due to be completed in 2020, it was functional by 2007, 13 years ahead of schedule. The NTHS, also known as the 7918 network, links all provincial capitals as well as cities with a population of more than 200,000, and incorporates the following:

7 Highways from Beijing
9 North to South vertical expressways
18 East to West horizontal expressways

Building expressways at a breakneck speed, China today boasts of 65,000 kilometers (40,389 miles) of expressway network, the second largest in the world, compared to a mere 147 kilometers (91.34 miles) in 1989 . The country is poised to expand this network further to 85,000 kilometers (52,817 miles) by 2020, according to the Ministry of Transport. For greater integration of rural areas in the economic development process, the government also plans to build and modernize about 270,000 kilometers (167,770 miles) of rural roads.

Regulatory framework for roads: Government at the helm

The fast-paced expansion of the road network in China, especially expressways, over the past 15 years has been possible due to the government’s systematic tiered approach. The development has been led by the State Council as a central entity for overall planning and standards, while the Provincial Transport Departments are responsible for detailed planning, design as well as building. Successive five-year plans have also outlined specific provincial targets for road construction, which have facilitated large-scale implementation simultaneously of many parallel projects.

The governance or regulatory framework for roads in China is as follows² :

State Council: This is the highest executive organ of state administration, with the premier at the helm, along with ministers and state councilors. The State Council has the responsibility of approving and issuing plans and policies for road sector development.

Ministry of Transportation: The Ministry of Transportation (MOT) assumes the role of policy oversight as well as regulation of all transport modes, except railways.

Provincial Transport Departments & Transport Bureaus: The 27 Provincial Transport Departments and the transport bureaus for the four mega cities- Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai and Tianjin- are responsible for the implementation of the transport programs and policies. They are also accountable for raising funds for the road projects, and for their operation as well as maintenance.

Financing of road projects

On the funding front, the provinces finance about 65%-90% of the capital cost needed to construct and maintain the expressways through their own budgets and debt. MOT sets policies, standards and provides investment support for construction. While expanding the inter-provincial National Trunk Highway System, the government decided to adopt a toll-based network, which would be predominantly financed by debt³ .

While the financing and management of the expressway network predominantly remains in the public sector domain, the government has adopted a distinctive form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) financing for some expressway projects. For example, after completing the construction of a toll expressway, provincial governments set up an expressway corporation as a public limited company, listed on the stock exchange. The provincial government then invests the money paid by the shareholders into construction of new toll roads. As such, China followed a one road-one company model, which allows for joint venture, securitized ownership, direct private sector investment, as well as different forms of leasing and concessions. Overall, private investments constitute a mere 7% of expressway financing in China. Here, the build-operate-transfer (BOT) method of road construction and management, which is a popular form of PPP financing, has been recently introduced in China. It is a tendered process, in which the chosen concessionaire (private entity) finances, builds and operates a road for a specified period.

China sources of funds for road investment

Source: ‘A Review of Institutional Arrangements for Road Asset Management: Lessons for the Developing World’, Cesar Queiroz and Henry Kerali, The World Bank, 2010.

China and India: Contrasting approach to road projects

In terms of the total road network, China ranks second, while India ranks third globally. A common characteristic of the road network in both countries is the predominance of rural roads, which constitute almost 90% of the total road length in China and 79% in India. While India boasts of a highway network of 66,590 kilometers (41,377 miles), its minuscule expressway network of 200 kilometers (124.3 miles) is dwarfed by China’s 65,000 kilometers (40,389 miles) expressway network⁴ .

While traditionally road construction in India was entirely undertaken and financed by the government, budgetary constraints have resulted in alternative models for road projects. With the objective of attracting private investment in road development, maintenance and operation, the National Highways Act (NH Act) of 1956 was amended in June 1995. These amendments facilitated private entities to invest in the NH projects, as well as levy, collect and retain fee from users, and regulate traffic on these highways as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act of 1988.

The National Highways Development Program (NHDP) forms the backbone of India’s road network with a length of 66,590 kilometers (41,377 miles). While this constitutes only 2% of India’s total road network it, it carries about 40% of the total road traffic. Launched in 2001, the NHDP is spread over seven phases to be completed by 2015. This ambitious program consists of connecting the four metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata (the Golden Quadrilateral), while substantially upgrading its existing network too.

Read full article here:
http://www.thomaswhite.com/explore-the-world/BRIC-spotlight/2010/china-toll-roads-expressways.aspx

Written by ITW Editor · Filed Under Highway, International, Toll Management System, Tolling

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