News

Qualcomm and Renault have announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for their intended cooperation on the London trial of Qualcomm Halo Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging (WEVC) technology, and their intent with respect to conducting preliminary studies of the integration of this technology into Renault vehicles.

South Korean company SK Innovation and international automotive supplier Continental, have signed an agreement founding a jointly managed company to develop and supply battery technology for the automotive industry. The know-how of both firms will be concentrated in this new company with the goal of mutually developing, producing and globally marketing lithium-ion battery systems for cars.

New plans by the European Commission are being proposed in a bid to reduce accident levels on the road. The changes are being made in a bid to reduce accident levels caused by defective vehicles. Under the new rules, all motorcycles and scooters would require technical inspections at regular intervals.

A new highway project in Mexico City is to commence in a bid to further tackle massive congestion problems. Mexico City suffers from amongst the worst traffic congestion in the world and peak time travel is notorious for delays and jams. A new high speed road is to be constructed as part of a long term plan to link major roads and reduce congestion. The contract was won by OHL Mexico’s subsidiary Controladora Via Rapida Poetas subsidiary. The deal will add a further 2km to a new 5km road under construction.

Two new highways are being built in the Philippines, costing some US$470 million in all. Both roads are for the Cavite-Laguna (CALA) Expressway project. This has been given the go-ahead by the National Economic and Development Authority's (NEDA) Investment Coordination Committee (ICC), but has yet to be endorsed by the NEDA board. One road will be built on the Laguna side and another will be built on the Cavite side. The Manila-Cavite Coastal Road will connect to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) via the Ca

A new report by research specialist Frost & Sullivan suggests that major vehicle producers are working on micro-mobility solutions. The development of these micro-mobility options is being carried out in parallel with that of more conventional four-wheeled vehicles. In all, the report suggests that 25 of the major vehicle manufacturers are working on a total of 150 micro-mobility projects aimed for launch by 2020. These international vehicle firms believe that micro-mobility solutions will suit commuter use

Two key tunnel projects are being planned in Switzerland at present, for projects at Jura and Gothard. The Swiss Federal Department for Infrastructure Uvek now intends to build a third tunnel at Jura Mountain by 2022. This will be the third link for Motorway 2 and will be completed before renovation work is carried out on the two existing tunnels. The new link will provide four lanes and ensure traffic flow continues while the existing links are improved. The construction of the third tunnel is expected to

Engineering firm Mott MacDonald has been commissioned to head the team designing the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge link road. The Dragages-China Harbour-VSL joint venture appointed Mott MacDonald as lead designer for the 9.4km long viaduct section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. This US$1.66 (HK$12.9 billion) project is the largest single design and build contract ever awarded in Hong Kong. The bridge will carry a dual three-lane carriageway over the Pearl River Estuary, which is one of the world’s bu

Inrix will collaborate with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODoT) to use the company’s traffic information and cloud-based analytics to further the state’s goal of clearing roads statewide within three hours after major storms.

Ringway has won the contract to build a dual carriageway bypass to ease congestion and improve motorist safety on a notorious section of the A57 in Rotherham, northern England. The US$21.86million (£14mn) A57 Todwick Bypass scheme, contracted out by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, will create a new near 1.6km dual carriageway running from junction 31 of the M1 to the A57’s junction with the B6463.

The US Department of Transportation (US DoT) is hosting a free public meeting and webinar, from 25-27 September, 2012, to provide an update on its research and promote a lively discussion on the Connected Vehicle Safety, Vehicle-to-Infrastructure, and Testing programmes. There will also be a special session discussing lessons learned in deploying ITS technology in the United States. The meeting is being organised by the ITS Joint Program Office (ITS JPO), which is part of the Research and Innovative Technol

French off-highway machine manufacturer Manitou reports strong financial performance, despite tough trading conditions. Jean-Christophe Giroux, Manitou president and CEO said, “It’s been another great quarter, that somewhat contrasts with the general perception because we’re at a double inflexion point. This will not materially impact our full year 2012 revenue, which we still forecast to be up 10% vs. 2011, still within our 10-15% guidance. But we’ll adjust our runrates and throughput dynamically.”

The Costanera Central motorway in Chile will require an investment of US$ 1.98bn, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Works (MOPC). The 20km road, which will connect Puente Alto with the Autopista del Sol motorway, will be put to tender in the final quarter of 2013. Construction is due for completion by 2019.