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Pilots don’t turn their phones off in the air either (via Gizmodo.com)

February 19, 2009 at 1:20 pm

By Andy Palanisamy

The FAA has issued an alert to airlines telling them to tell their pilots to turn their phones off.

The US FAA has issued an alert to airlines following an inspector’s report that a first officer’s cell phone began ringing at a critical phase of a takeoff recently, an incident the agency says was “a potentially serious hazard”.According to the FAA air safety inspector who was riding along on an unnamed airline’s flight from the jump seat, just prior to reaching V1, the speed after which pilots generally are committed to taking off rather than aborting on the runway, a rather loud “warbling” sound was “detected” by both crewmembers.

“It was later determined that the sound came from the first officer’s cellular phone, which had been left in the ON position,” the Safety Alerts For Operators (SAFO) note reads.

“As a result the ring tone caused a distraction between the crewmembers during the takeoff phase and could have led the to crew to initiate an unnecessary rejected takeoff,” the letter continues.

 [FlightGlobal via Gizmodo.com]

Fastest Production Electric Dirt Bike Ever – 2009 Zero X

February 19, 2009 at 12:52 pm

 (via Jalopnik.com)

The 2009 Zero X is so green that you can eat its battery. Luckily its performance is more appetizing; it’s the fastest electric dirt bike ever.

 

2009 Zero X


To read the article, visit Jalopink.com  

Excerpts from the review:

“What you end up getting is a package reminiscent of Colin Chapman’s ideology: small, light and very quick. Also similar to Lotus, The Zero X is considerably cheaper than its competitors. While the Quantya comes in at $10K, the Zero X is $7,750 shipped to your door if you live in the Continental US, with an extra $700 for six-day airmail to Europe.

So how does the Zero X compare to an old-timey gasoline-powered bike? A gas motor is only about 25% efficient, the Zero X’s motor, with its single moving part, is about 95%. The battery itself puts out 300 watts, enough to vaporize a wrench if it’s electrocuted. When asked about the whole electricity-isn’t-really-green issue, CEO Gene Banman said, “Yes, burning coal to charge an electric motorcycle creates a carbon footprint, but burning gasoline is much more inefficient. The Coal/Electric motorcycle is 5x better than gasoline. The American grid with its natural gas, hydro and nuclear makes the electric motorcycle 8x better. Then as green energy sources come on line, the electric motorcycle becomes a true zero carbon solution.”

The charge time on the battery is around 2 hours. Zero has made the battery a modular unit that can be pulled in less than a minute and replaced. While long distance riding is out of the question, Neal Saiki made it clear that the X is a continually evolving machine “for enthusiasts who like motorcycles, and somebody who wants to ride and not piss off their neighbors.” In an era of ever-increasing restrictions coupled with decreasingly available land, that’s not just a sales pitch. With the Zero I could be blasting down the streets, terrorizing small animals and kids in a noise-ordinanced, gated-community and nobody would know.

The track here at Glen Helen is rough thanks to nearly a week of heavy rains that stopped the day before, but the Zero handles it pretty well. The speed is explosive, which means really going fast at a rate I’m not ready for thanks to the 50 lb-ft of torque available instantly with just a twist of the throttle. I get myself into trouble when I forget the Zero X isn’t designed to handle the tortures of an MX track famous for destroying even the most rugged machines. That ultra-light suspension is bottoming out on the landings as well as the stutters that have contracted and broken into huge chunks.

The X is designed for single-track trails, not 100 ft descents with giant ruts. And while I could complain about lack of confidence because the bike’s dynamics are so foreign, there’s this one nagging advantage – I can hear everything. I don’t have to wear plugs to keep my ears from bleeding. In fact, the loudest noise the bike makes is when the brakes squeal as I jam the rear to keep from rocketing off a ridge.

Is the X going to outperform heavier, more robust dedicated Motocross bikes on their home turf? No. But it can offer fast off-road thrills free of both emissions and noise better than any other electric dirt bike yet designed. It’s lighter and more accessible than traditional dirt bikes too. View it as a direct replacement for gas-powered bikes and you’ll be disappointed, but view it as a very fun, genuinely fast indication of their future and you’ll be excited. We are.

Read more about the business and technology behind the Zero X at Fast Company.

Text and photography: Grant Ray

Transport for Soccer World Cup 2010 Newsletter – February 19th 2009

February 19, 2009 at 11:05 am
 
19 February 2009
INTRODUCTION
As a service to our clients and associates Corporate Communication will distribute a regular newsletter with updates on transport preparations for SWC 2010.

If you don´t want to receive this newsletter in future please click here to unsubscribe.

KZN 2010 PROJECTS ‘ARE WELL ON TRACK’
KwaZulu-Natal will meet all deadlines and obligations for the much-awaited Soccer World Cup, the provincial government said on Thursday. Addressing editors on the province’s readiness for the soccer tournament, Premier Sbu Ndebele said the 2010 projects were well on track.

IOL, SAPA, 12th February 2009Read more

MANUEL: MORE CASH FOR 2010 STADIUMS
Trevor Manuel, the finance minister, said the 2010 Soccer World Cup will be one of the sources of output growth improvement next year. Presenting his Budget in Parliament, Manuel said he expects output growth to improve then, supported by public infrastructure spending, lower interest rates and a recovery in the world economy as well as the World Cup.

The Times, Michael Hamlyn, 11th February 2009Read more

BUS MANUFACTURERS RUN OUT OF TIME FOR 2010
THE delay in awarding bus contracts to meet demand for the 2010 Soccer World Cup is causing concern for local bus manufacturers, who warn that the longer they have to wait, the more strain it will put on delivery and that necessary job training will suffer.

Business Times, Don Robertson, 9th February 2009Read more

IT’S ALL GOING TO HAPPEN IN ‘FAN PARKS’
More South African soccer fans are likely to watch the 2010 World Cup matches in so-called fan parks than in the 10 designated stadiums. “The fan parks may constitute a ‘bigger’ World Cup than in the stadiums,” SA Local Organising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan told MPs on Thursday.

IOL, SAPA, 5th February 2009Read more

FIFA 2010 TICKETS ON SALE IN JUST THREE WEEKS
Tickets for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup go on sale on the Internet in just under three weeks at a prominent South African bank. With Monday having marked 500 days to the World Cup kick-off on June 11, 2010 — today there are 495 days to go — tickets for the event go on sale in 20 days’ time, on February 19.

Witness, Marc Strydom, 30th January 2009Read more

SOUTH AFRICANS FEAR CRIME COULD MAR WORLD CUP
A survey by football’s governing body FIFA has found that more than half of South African people are worried about the country’s high crime rate impacting the 2010 World Cup.South Africans are happy to have the World Cup, but worried about crime during the event.

CNN, Mike Steere, 29th January 2009Read more

10 REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WORLD CUP 2010 IN SOUTH AFRICA
It’s no big secret that we’re all a bit worried about World Cup 2010 in South Africa right now. And though those concerns are very much legitimate, I think it’s time someone offered a few rays of light to counterbalance all the World Cup 2010 doom and gloom.

www.worldcupblog.org, Daryl, 29th January 2009Read more

FIFA SHIFTS FOCUS TO ATTRACTING TOURISTS AS 2010 STADIUMS NEAR…
With only 500 days remaining until the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the governing body would focus its attention on the infrastructure and arrangements surrounding the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup. FIFA secretary-general Jérôme Valcke said during a press conference in Johannesburg that the organisation was satisfied with the…

Engineering News, Chanel Pringle, 26th January 2009Read more

For more information visit the
Corporate Communication website at www.corpcomm.co.za.

Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter.

 

2009 ITS Michigan Annual Meeting and Exhibition – May 12 & 13

February 19, 2009 at 11:01 am

The 2009 event is proving to be another great networking opportunity, informational program about ITS in Michigan and throughout the United States and forum to showcase ITS technologies in the exhibit hall.  The

2009 Annual ITS Michigan meeting and Exhibition will be held on May 12 and 13 in Novi, Michigan, and is an event you won’t want to miss. 

There will be live demonstrations on site throughout the event.

The Michigan Department of Transportation would like to personally welcome you to Exhibit and/or Attend this event.  Feel free to pass this on to anyone you wish that would benefit from exhibiting and/or attending this event.

Exhibitors: Get your registration in early to take advantage of the booth space selection.  Sponsors get first choices based on levels then first registrations get first picks etc.  Don’t delay email or fax in your registration today!

Demonstrations:  If you are interested in doing a demonstration please email me asap at                         muellerm2@michigan.gov as space is on a first come, first serve basis!

Information and Registration brochures are on www.itsmichigan.org in the green box located in the upper left corner of the webpage. 

If you have any questions about this event please feel free to contact Michele Mueller at 248-431-1443 or muellerm2@michigan.gov

Swordfish Motorcycle Concept (via gizmodo.com)

February 18, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Swordfish Motorcycle Concept Imagines Our Hubless Wheeled Future

Hubless bikes are kind of like hover boards – cool, but stuck firmly in the future. That doesn’t mean we can help ourselves from swooning every time we see the hint of one.

Designer Alexander Kotlyarevsky‘s “Swordfish” concept bike shows off a sleek curved body that ends in two hubless wheels. Sure it doesn’t look like it’s the most comfortable bike to ride, but who needs comfort when you’re this sexy? [Design Blog

   

Regional Managers – Imago North America

February 18, 2009 at 7:52 pm

Regional Managers – Imago North America

 Imago North America (formerly ADDCO) is hiring Regional Managers to help grow its Fixed Dynamic Message Sign Business in the USA. Experienced transportation sales & business development individuals should submit resumes to jobs@addco.com.  Candidates should thrive in a fast-paced, professional global company.  For more information on Imago, please visit www.imagoscreens.com

Bernie Wagenblast’s Transportation Communications Newsletter – Feb 18, 2009

February 18, 2009 at 6:14 pm

 

Transportation Communications Newsletter

 

 

Wednesday, February 18, 2009 — ISSN 1529-1057


Regional Managers – Imago North America

 Imago North America (formerly ADDCO) is hiring Regional Managers to help grow its Fixed Dynamic Message Sign Business in the USA. Experienced transportation sales & business development individuals should submit resumes to jobs@addco.com.  Candidates should thrive in a fast-paced, professional global company.  For more information on Imago, please visit www.imagoscreens.com

AVIATION

1) FAA Not Ready to Approve Wind Farm Off Cape Cod

Concern structures could provide radar interference.

Link to story in The Barnstable Patriot:

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17238&Itemid=152

2) FAA to Airline Pilots: Turn Cell Phones Off

Link to story in Air Transport Intelligence:

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/02/17/322696/faa-to-airline-pilots-turn-cell-phones-off.html

3) Innovative Web Site Captured Air Crash’s Radio Traffic

Link to AP story:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h7GIO9vFBE6vKsvkIQ6CCz5nUiAwD96DG76G0

Link to LiveATC:  http://www.liveatc.net/

4) Delta Sued for In-flight Wi-Fi Service

Link to story in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

http://www.ajc.com/search/content//business/delta/stories/2009/02/18/aircell_delta_lawsuit_wifi.html

5) Opponents of O’Hare Expansion Unveil New Ad Campaign

Link to story in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-ohare-expansion-18-feb18,0,56548.story

Link to news release from the Stop O’Hare Modernization Program:

http://www.stop-omp.org/uploads/Release_Chicago_Feb_17_09.pdf

 

CARTOGRAPHY

6) Google Wins Street View Privacy Suit

Link to CNET News story:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10166532-93.html?tag=newsLatestHeadlinesArea.0

GPS / NAVIGATION

7) ‘Kosher’ GPS Device Gets Official Launch

Link to story in The Jerusalem Post:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1233304821336&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

 

OTHER

8) Hackers Break Into US Government Travel Web Site, Feed Users Attack Code

Link to story in Computerworld:

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9128173

 

SAFETY / SECURITY

9) Body Scanners Replace Metal Detectors in Tryout at Tulsa Airport

Link to story in USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-02-17-detectors_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip

 

10) No Photo Ban in New York City Subways, Yet an Arrest

Link to column in The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/18/nyregion/18about.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

 

11) Orange County, California May be Successful Model for Interoperable Communications

Link to story in Emergency Management:

http://www.govtech.com/em/articles/596643

 

TRANSIT

12) Los Angeles Public Transit Replaces Passes with New TAP Cards

Link to story on KCBS-TV:

http://cbs2.com/consumer/Metropolitan.Transportation.Authority.2.937293.html

 13) New Signs Will Keep London, Ontario Transit Users Informed

Link to story in The Londoner:

http://www.thelondoner.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1438104

 

TRAVELER INFORMATION / TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT

14) Denver‘s Latest Traffic Plan Depends on Getting You Out of Your Car

Link to story in Westword:

http://www.westword.com/2009-02-19/news/denver-s-latest-traffic-plan-depends-on-getting-you-out-of-your-car/

15) New Cell Phone Traffic Program in Louisville, Kentucky

Link to story in the Lexington Herald-Leader:

http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/698310.html

Link to news release from WHAS-TV:

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-17-2009/0004973481&EDATE

 

News Releases

1) Calgary Transit Collaborates with Google to Give Users More Options in Trip Planning

2) New Cameras to Monitor Melbourne on the Move

3) Traffax Inc. Introduces a Unique Line of Data Collection Equipment

 

Upcoming Events

Workshop on Identifying Traveler Information Research Needs to Achieve All Roads-All Modes-All the Time – April 15-17 – Irvine, California

http://trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=9253

 

 

Today in Transportation History

1899 **110th anniversary** – The White Pass & Yukon Railway reached the summit of White Pass on the border of British Columbia and Alaska.

http://www.wpyr.com

=============================================================================================

The Transportation Communications Newsletter is published electronically Monday through Friday. 

To subscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-subscribe@googlegroups.com

To unsubscribe send an e-mail to:  TCNL-unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

TCN archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

Questions, comments about the TCN?  Please write the editor, Bernie Wagenblast at i95berniew@aol.com.   

© 2009 Bernie Wagenblast

Workshop on Identifying Traveler Information Research Needs to Achieve All Roads-All Modes-All the Time

February 18, 2009 at 3:34 pm

 

Workshop on Identifying Traveler Information Research Needs to Achieve All Roads-All Modes-All the Time

April 15-17, 2009

 

The TRB Intelligent Transportation Systems Committee is sponsoring this workshop with the goal of identifying critical traveler information research and policy issues and offering recommendations towards the goal of “All Roads-All Modes-All the Time”. The workshop will bring together traveler information researchers, policy-makers, public and private-sector service providers, transport network managers, and modelers, to document current knowledge and identify research needs. The agenda (Agenda.pdf) for this event is attached at the end of this page.

This will be a gathering of national and international experts who will present, debate, and identify research needs toward the national goal of full network visibility.  The output from this workshop, its observations, insights, and recommendations, will inform the national ITS program real-time information research strategy.  This is your opportunity to listen, speak, and be heard.  

 
The plenary session speakers on Wednesday afternoon April 15 will address the current state of the practice in transit, traffic and other real-time information networks, and will be drawn from the European Union, USDOT, Caltrans, the ITS Program Advisory Committee, and from the private companies that are progressing the development and delivery of real-time information.  Following the plenary, well gather for a cocktail reception.

Workshop Organization

 

The workshop is organized into four working groups addressing (1) data collection, (2) data fusion and processing, (3) information dissemination, and (4) network impacts (described below), with panelists identifying research and evaluation gaps toward the development of seamless network visibility.  Following the presentations, the working group participants will debate the material presented, and expand the scope of the discussion as needed. In the closing session of the meeting on Friday morning, we will present the highlights of the working group discussions, both agreements and unresolved issues, and get an insider’s update on the next transportation authorization from legislative officials.

1. Real-time network data
The real-time network data panel will focus on research needs related to the gathering and collection of real-time data for traffic, transit, parking and freight.  Some of the specific topics to be addressed include assessing data coverage, data quality and data ownership/rights, and comparing different business models/approaches to collecting real-time information.  Of particular interest will be addressing the need for data collection systems to facilitate the exchange and integration of real-time data of varying levels of quality and utility.

2. Data fusion and processing
Improved real-time data fusion techniques and processing will improve the overall quality, timeliness, and usefulness of applications such as traveler information, performance monitoring, and incident response.  The most common ITS data fusion techniques perform temporal and spatial corrections to improve data correlation.  New ITS services are being developed to predict transportation conditions from inferred relationships with data, such as an ensemble model that considers weather conditions and predicts the probability of crashes based on observed road conditions and historical analyses. This panel will consider current developments and explore the opportunities for improved and standardized data fusion techniques.

3. Information dissemination
The information dissemination panel will explore three primary topics in the distribution of traveler information.  The panel will first delve into the state of existing research on traveler information distribution with the goal of identifying gaps in research and/or applications.  The second part will explore existing public and private approaches to information distribution including data quality and management and business/financial models.  The final part will explore known challenges and gaps in the production and dissemination of traveler information to customers, identifying and targeting future research efforts.

4. Network impacts
The network impacts panel will consider the effects of information (i) on individual traveler behavior, and (ii) on travel conditions and flows.  The state of knowledge in these two areas will be assessed, with reference to empirical data from deployed and operational systems as well as to results from research efforts, in order to identify knowledge gaps and suggest fruitful directions for future data collection and research.

 

 

Following panelist presentations, the working group participants will debate the material presented, and expand the scope of the discussion as needed. As an expert in the real-time traveler information enterprise, your active participation in the working groups is pivotal to the success of the workshop. Formal proceedings will document the contents of the discussions for future reference.  
 
In the closing session of the meeting on Friday morning, April 17, we will present the highlights of the working group discussions, both agreements and unresolved issues, and get an insiders update on the next transportation authorization from legislative officials.

 

Registration
 
The registration fee includes the meeting and associated materials, the reception on Wednesday evening and meals including full breakfast on Thursday and Friday, lunch on Thursday and all morning and afternoon breaks.  A block of rooms has been reserved at the Fairmont Newport Beach Hotel (across from the Orange County Airport).  Free airport transportation is available through the hotel.  The meeting will open at the hotel on Wednesday, and continue at the Beckman Center on Thursday and Friday.  Car pools to the Beckman Center will be arranged for participants who do not rent cars.

Be sure to register by March 6 in order to enjoy the early registration discount, and book your hotel room before March 13 to get the special discounted room rate. 

Registration Type

Early Bird Registration

(by March 6)

Advance Registration

(by March 13)

Onsite

(after March 13)

General

$295

$345

$375

 

 

Refunds will be issued, less a $50 cancellation fee, for all cancellations received in writing by March 13, 2009. No refunds will be issued thereafter.

 

 

  

 
Where
Beckman Center of the National Academies
100 Academy
Irvine, California 
Get Location Map
Click here to access the event Website for registration and to learn more about the hotel and other travel-related information.
Best regards,
Steve Shladover
ITS Committee Chair

YPT Leadership Seminar with Amtrak Board Chair Donna McLean.

February 18, 2009 at 1:47 pm

YPT is happy to announce our February Leadership Seminar with Amtrak Board Chair Donna McLean.

When:

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009

6:00 to 7:30pm

 Where:

PB Consult

1401 K Street NW, Ste. 300

Washington, DC 20005

[Northwest corner of 14th and K St.; Metrorail – Blue/Orange to McPherson Square]

Ms. McLean serves on the Amtrak Board of Directors and currently is Chair of the Board.

In her last position in the Federal government, Ms. McLean was at the US Department of Transportation serving as the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer under Secretary Norman Y. Mineta.  In her position, Ms. McLean was responsible for developing the $60 billion President’s budget request for the Department of Transportation. 

Prior to CFO of DOT, she was the Assistant Secretary for Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer of the Federal Aviation Administration.  Ms. McLean was also a professional staff member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for nearly seven years.  In addition, she has worked at the Office of Management and Budget on the President’s budget as well as the regulatory agenda.

In 2003, Donna McLean established, DONNA McLEAN Associates, LLC, a Washington, DC based consulting firm specializing in transportation policy.  In addition, she is an adjunct Professor for Indiana University’s Washington Leadership Program.

Please join us on February 19 to discuss transportation policy and the nation’s rail service.

ITS South Africa Newsletter – February 18, 2009

February 18, 2009 at 12:29 pm

18 February 2009

Invitation to e-Transport Conference and Exhibition
Exhibition space is selling fast and ITS companies from South Africa and abroad are invited to become sponsors and / or exhibitors at the e-Transport Conference and Exhibition The overall theme is Moving People Smartly: Transport Solutions for FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 and beyond. It takes place on 24-25 March 2009 at the Sandton Convention Center.

The biennial e-Transport Confex is the premier ITS event to network with key decision-makers and ITS professionals and exploit business opportunities in South Africa’s booming ITS market. With a current infrastructure spend of R600 bilion, there are numerous ITS projects in the pipeline.

The mega transport projects to the value of several billion Rand transforming South Africa transport environment are attracting huge local and international interest. If you want to be part of this rapidly growing market, explore the sponsorship and exhibition opportunities to raise your profile in the South African ITS Market.

The e-Transport Conference has been accredited for Continuous Professional Development points.  The CPD number is ProvSAICEtr09/00456/09.

To view the programme, click here.

You are cordially invited to register now. Click here.

For sponsorship and exhibition packages, click here.

For the exhibition floor plan, click here.

For the stand reservation form, click here.

For general information about South Africa, click here.


International ITS Master Class – 26 March 2009
With the support of the World Road Association (PIARC), the National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and the ITS Centre of Excellence, ITS South Africa is proud to host an International ITS Master Class on Thursday 26 March as a post conference event to the e-Transport Conference, which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday 24-25 March 2009. The venue is the Sandton Convention Centre.

With several mega transport projects underway – and more in the pipeline – international-level training is vital to better equip us with the skills and best practice examples required to raise the standard of planning, deploying, managing operations and undertaking maintenance.

The ITS Master Class will help you improve your skills with the guidance of a panel of international presenters.

The ITS Master Class has been accredited for Continuous Professional Development points.  The CPD number is ProvSAICEtr09/00455/10.

Click here to register.


Communication Applications for Transport
As ITS deployment intensifies, the need to expand and improve the communication layer becomes increasingly important Different technologies provide divergent benefits and the challenge is to find an inclusive solution. On 11 February ITS South Africa hosted a workshop in Durban on Communication Applications for the Transport Environment in cooperation with the ITS Centre of Excellence and the eThekweni Transport Authority. 70 delegates attended it.

Click here for the presentations.


Business Opportunity
An SME company based in Italy is looking for a partnership. It is a leading Italian player in the Intelligent Transport Systems market, with advanced technology products and system solutions.

Main addressed markets and applications:

  • Public Transportation: AVM/AVL, DRTs (on Demand Responsive Transportation system)
  • Fleet management: Fleet of vehicles (included the goods transportation), Containers, Vehicle “Pay-as-you-drive” insurance schemes applications
  • Satellite anti-thief systems: Self managed, Managed by Operative Center
  • Infomobility: Systems based on processed data through vehicle tracking devices, GPS based devices able to supply infomobility audio messages

The company is looking for technical and commercial partnerships suitable to value any possible existing synergy with international members of ITS National Associations.

If you are interested, please click here.


ITS Canada Annual Conference
ITS South Africa members can attend ITS Canada’s Annual Conference in Edmonton at the “member rate” if they register and pay before March 6.

Full details about the Conference are available at www.itscanada.ca/edmonton2009


Member News
Q-Free
Friday 23rd of January is going down as the most successful day ever in the history of Q-Free:

  1. In the morning we signed a contract in Bangkok, Thailand to deliver a turn-key ETC/MTC system for the customer BECL. This is an existing customer of Q-Free and it is very satisfying that they are placing additional orders with us. Contract value: 60 mill NOK (7 mill EUR)
  2. At lunchtime we signed a contract in Porto, Portugal with the customer AENOR to supply a turn-key system based on free flow DSRC and Central System. Contract value: 220 mill NOK (24 mill EUR)
  3. In the evening we signed the contract to deliver the complete enforcement system on the roadside and the complete Central System in Slovakia. The installation will be used for the truck tolling project and payments will be calculated based on GPS positions. Contract value: 450 mill NOK (50 mill EUR)

This sums up to a total value of 730 mill NOK (81 mill EUR) which represents a value well above a normal year’s revenue for us. It will mean a major leap forward in the size of our company and our ability to deliver large scale projects in short time. All the three systems will be built mainly during 2009.

Osma Elevators Germany selects DigiCore’s C-track GPS / GPRS Solution
DigiCore Holdings, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed vehicle telematics company, recently increased it’s shareholding in it’s DigiCore Deutshland subsidiary from 50% to 100%. The group has over the last 3 years followed a policy of purchasing 100% shareholding in the offshore entities over a period in order to exploit synergies and align strategies throughout the Group.

Following the conclusion of this transaction It is exciting to announce that after two years of testing C-track in a pilot phase, Detlef Ruthemeyer, technical managing director of the family-owned enterprise Osma-Aufzuge, has decided to fully rely on C-track for his fleet’s needs. In the coming weeks, the technicians’ vehicles and all trucks will be equipped with DigiCore’s fleet management system. Click here to read more.

Kapsch: Success in France, the Czech Republic and Italy
Kapsch TrafficCom AG recently had great success in France, the Czech Republic and Italy.  In the next three years, Kapsch TrafficCom France will impelement four orders for the biggest French road operators (Vinci, APRR and Sanef Groups) and the tag issuer Axxes. In total, Kapsch will supply over half a million on board units and related accessories to France for an order value of around 10 million EUR.

“Despite our many successes in other continents, Europe has lost none of its importance for us.  To date, we have repeatedly supplied France with equipment for single lane electronic toll collection.  Kapsch TrafficCom on-board units will be in use on the most important routes in France,” Explains Erwin Toplak, Member of the Board, Kapsch TrafficCom AG.

Revenues from the toll system installed by Kapsch TrafficCom in the Czech Republic has grown with around 10% as the state has collected around 245 million EUR last year.

Development in the previous year was extremely positive with a total growth of 23 million EUR. Erwin Toplak underscores the economic importance of collecting tolls: “The income generated by our system allows the state to invest actively in the area of infrastructure.  The maintenance and improvement of highway infrastructure places enormous demands on funds, which cannot be covered by the normal budget.”

Kapsch had further success when it secured a City Access order in Italy, as the town of Cremona in Lombardy has chosen Kapsch-Busi to implement its City Access control solutions.  Kapsch-Busi will implement the order together with partner company, Famas System Spa in around eighty days.  The order is worth more than half a million euro.

“Winning the tender in Cremona secures the status of Kapsch-Busi in Northern Italy. We are also counting on good changes of winning other upcoming City Access control projects in Italy,” Explains Viktor Hatwagner, Member of the Management Board of Kapsch-Busi.

Kapsch products are set to be used on over 8 000km of French motorways.  In the Czech Repulic tolls are currently levied on 1 000 km of motorways and expressways, while Kapsch-Busi in Italy will be responsible for the technical operation and maintenance of the system for the next three years.


New members
Intelligent Devices is an international company with an office in Cape Town and focuses on Advanced Traffic Management Systems. They are represented by Peter Ashley. Please contact him at Telephone +27 21 552 0794. His e-mail is petera@idisa.co.za or visit their website at www.intelligentdevicesinc.com.

MaxID’s focus is on the design and development of rugged mobile terminals and the ancillary technologies for data acquisition and communications such as biometric applications, RFID, Barcode scanning, GPS positioning, and GSM/GPRS. They are represented by Mr Selwyn Jackson. Please contact him at Telephone  +27 11 234 2110 or selwyn@maxidgroup.com or visit the website at www.maxidgroup.com.

Welcome to Johannesburg-based Mncedisi Ndlovu & Sedumedi Consulting. They are represented by Mr Tebogo Moremi, Project Manager for Integrated Public Transport. You can contact him on Telephone +27 11 447 3811 or tebogo@ndlovu-sedumedi.co.za.

 

ABOUT ITS SOUTH AFRICA
The ITS South Africa ensures that ITS and related organisations are kept up to date with the technology revolution, and allows one to harness the technology and gain the benefit it offers. ITS South Africa is a membership-based organisation. It consists of government bodies and its implementation agencies, manufacturers, suppliers, users and potential users of ITS technology.

Find out more about ITS South Africa by visiting our website at www.itssa.org,
or email us at paul@itssa.org.

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