News

Iteris has announced Vantage Vector, the latest addition to its portfolio of Vantage vehicle detection solutions. The new device, which fuses the company's proven video detection with radar sensor technology to extend the range and richness of detection data, will begin shipping in the first quarter of 2012.

Main road building projects in the Chinese city of Zhongshan are expected to cost US$5.45billion between 2011 and 2015. The $1.89billion bill for two new highways, which will cover a combined length of 80km, is due to be settled by Guangdong province authorities.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is testing a first-in-the-USA detection system that alerts drivers in real time of wildlife on highways that cause risk to motorists. The OmniTrax solution from Senstar is based on a volumetric electromagnetic proven sensor, buried approximately one third of a metre underground and about 10 metres from either side of the roadway.

Aegis ITS, an Econolite Group company, has announced it will merge with fellow Econolite Group company, Team Econolite, to form a single division - Aegis ITS. The consolidation, effective 1 January, 2012, is designed to provide complete ITS services, streamlining operational processes for enhanced customer service

The Ugandan government aims to cut traffic congestion by building a 37km dual carriageway toll road linking Entebbe International Airport with Kampala. The US$350million project, set to begin later this year, is being funded through a four-year loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. The toll road is due to open in 2015.

Russia is rolling forward with a massive programme of road building and reconstruction. The plans call for some 5,700 km of federal highways to be repaired by 2017. At present, only 38% of Russia's roads are in good condition and this has been identified as a key priority for improvement by the country's Government.Meanwhile the authorities in the Russian city of St Petersburg have a target infrastructure investment programme for 2012 as well as plans for 2013 and 2014

In Oman Galfar Engineering & Contracting will handle the US$131.75 million project for the 46km Nizwa-Thumrait road. The project forms part of Oman's Eighth Five Year Plan, which runs between 2011 and 2015.

The Ural Federal Highway Administration (UFHA) has issued an open tender to reconstruct a 20km section of Perm-Yekaterinburg road in the Perm region (Urals) of western Russia. The starting price of the contract is US$129.51million, with the work asked to be completed no later than 1,220 days after its award. When evaluating bids, UFHA says it will take into account terms of the contract, the coefficient of the criterion standing, cost, previous quality of work, and personnel qualifications. The bidding dead

The latest reports on the new Autopista de Coral highway in the Dominican Republic say that the project is on schedule.

Zipcar, which claims to be the world's leading car sharing network, has been awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) by the US General Services Administration's Office of Motor Vehicle Management (GSA Fleet) as a vendor for the federal government's short term rental (STR) programme.

The cost of the 18km Puhoi-Warkworth motorway project in New Zealand has been revised up to US$1.45billion from $1.35billion. The Transport Agency has also changed the project start date to 2014. It is thought around 50 landowners will be affected by the construction of the new motorway, which will shorten journey times between Auckland and Whangarei.

MonteAdriano Engenharia e Construcao has been awarded two contracts in Mozambique worth a combined US$92.33million. The Portugese construction and engineering company will renovate and build two roads with a joint length of 58km near the provinces of Zambezia and Niassa, and two roads with a combined length of 90km in Tete province. The works must be completed within 18 months.

Japanese firm TGMY has scored a notable performance record with one of its custom-made electric vehicles. The company tested one of its vehicles on a track, clocking up 587km on a single charge.