California

California receives $155m additional federal transportation funds

Cali

California has received federal transportation funds of $155m after the state met all its federal transportation project deadlines in 2013.

When US states do not spend federal transportation funds before deadlines, all the money is reverted to a federal pool and redistributed to states that have completed all requirements.

This year, of the total federal pool of $1.6bn, California received $155m, the highest in the country.

Australia’s $11.5bn transportation project to commence

Australia’s biggest transportation project is set to begin, with the New South Wales (NSW) government submitting the initial planning application for the $11.5bn WestConnex motorway.

This move comes after the state approved the business case which revealed that the project will deliver major benefits to the NSW economy and motorists of Western Sydney.

WestConnex project will connect western and south Western Sydney with the city, airport and port in a 33km continuous motorway.

Kapsch TrafficCom installs Weigh-In-Motion systems in Kazakhstan

Kapsch TrafficCom

Kapsch TrafficCom has delivered and installed Weigh-In-Motion systems at four stations on two highways in Kazakhstan, allowing the weighing of vehicles even while travelling at full speed.

Two of the four stations are located at kilometer 59 of the highway from Almaty to Bishkek and the other two stations at kilometer 291 of the Astana-Petropavlovsk connection.

Kapsch TrafficCom COO Erwin Toplak said the company "is very pleased about this order since it shows the great potential of this new system", which was introduced only in the past year.

Eight firms shortlisted for A9 design contracts in Scotland

Eight companies have been shortlisted to bid for three large design contracts in Scotland, as part of the A9 Dualling Programme.

The shortlisted bidders include: AECOM / Mott MacDonald, Arup, Atkins / Mouchel, Capita, CH2M Hill / Fairhurst, Jacobs, URS and WSP / Ramboll / Fehily Timoney.

The successful bidders will be provided with steady work in the next 12 years on the contracts, which will also offer several opportunities for small and medium firms through sub-consultancy work.

Bombardier commissions world’s first inductive fast charging bus station

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Bombardier Transportation has unveiled the world’s first high-power inductive bus charging station at Braunschweig Central Station in Germany.

The charging station was designed for PRIMOVE electric buses in Germany and has been launched in partnership with local transport operator Braunschweiger Verkehrs-AG.

Beginning December 2013, Braunschweiger Verkehrs-AG and Bombardier will change the service on the inner-city circular bus line M19 for a more environmentally friendly operation.

Montréal set to install 80 public charging stations

Montréal in Canada has joined the Electric Circuit, a major initiative in the launch of charging infrastructure required to support the arrival of plug-in vehicles in Québec.

The city is set to install 80 public charging stations as part of an EV charging initiative, which will bring the number up to 250 in the city.

Manufactured by the Electric Circuit’s official supplier, AddÉnergie Technologies, the new 240-V charging stations will be deployed in parking lots belonging to Montréal and selected depending on criteria outlined to ensure visibility and security.

New speed camera implemented in Ngauranga Gorge, New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand has installed a new camera that can detect vehicles travelling at unsafe speeds across multiple lanes of traffic in one of the worst crash risk areas in Wellington.

The new Ngauranga Gorge fixed-speed camera, which is now operating following a period of thorough testing, features the latest advances in digital technology.

Other safety enforcement measures, such as mobile speed cameras, have been in operation when the new camera was under trial.

Wales prepares draft plan for £1bn M4 relief road

The Welsh Government has prepared a draft plan for a £1bn M4 relief road, a proposed motorway in the south of the city of Newport, South Wales, with the aim to cut traffic congestion.

The implementation of the plan includes construction of a new motorway between Magor and Castleton.

The Welsh Government has urged as many people as possible to view and comment on the draft plan and its associated strategic environmental, habitats regulations, health and equality assessments.


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