Germany currently has around 21,000 EV charging points. Credit: MikesPhotos from Pixabay.
Iteris is extending 511 traveller information system programmes for five departments of transportation in the US. Credit: Business Wire.
 Hyundai Mobis
The technology uses ultra short-range radar, which can detect objects even in unfavourable conditions. Credit: Hyundai Mobis.
The UAE tested a Mercedes driverless car on the Dubai to Abu Dhabi road. Credit: M 93.

ADB approves $195m loan to improve Pokhara-Mugling highway section

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a $195m loan to improve the highway section between Pokhara and Mugling in Nepal.

The highway section links Pokhara to Kathmandu and to subregional corridors connecting Nepal with India and Bangladesh.

Of the total $254m project cost, the government is providing $59m. The project is expected to be completed at the end of 2025.

Germany plans to have one million EV charging points by 2030

Germany announced plans to have one million electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country by 2030.

Insufficient fuel infrastructure is offputting for potential EV buyers.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the installation of more charging points would encourage drivers to embrace low-emission battery-powered vehicles and turn away from internal combustion engines.

Five US transportation departments extend Iteris contracts

Five US Departments of Transportation (DoTs) extended their contracts to continue Iteris’ service of their 511 traveller information systems.

Georgia DoT, Montana DoT, Kansas DoT, West Virginia DoT and the Riverside County Transportation Commission renewed the Iteris services in contracts totalling more than $1.5m.

The 511 systems are built on Iteris’ ATIS platform, which powers 11 traveller information systems across the country.

Salini Impregilo shortlisted for $1.6bn Sydney Gateway Project

Italian construction and civil engineering company Salini Impregilo was shortlisted for the A$2.2 to $2.4bn ($1.6bn) Sydney Gateway Project in Australia.

Part of an effort to improve infrastructure in the state, the bidding process is being handled by Transport for New South Wales (NSW).

As part of the project, road connections will be improved from Sydney Airport and Port Botany to the new Sydney motorway network at St Peters Interchange.

US DOT announces grant awards for infrastructure projects

The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) announced grant awards for major infrastructure projects in Milan and Springfield, Missouri.

The 55 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants were awarded on a competitive basis and will be used to make investments in surface transportation infrastructure.

They were awarded to projects with a significant impact in their local or regional communities.

Hyundai Mobis develops rear-autonomous emergency braking system

South Korea-based Hyundai Mobis developed rear-autonomous emergency braking (R-AEB) technology using ultra short-range radar (USRR).

R-AEB systems generally use ultrasound sensors and cameras. This was the first instance where radar sensors were used in place of ultrasound sensors.

The new technology detects objects behind the car and forcefully stops the vehicle if the driver does not apply the brakes.

Cube Highways wins third TOT round to manage road assets in India

Cube Highways and Infrastructure won the third round of the Indian Government’s toll-operate-transfer (TOT) road auctions with a Rs50.11bn ($699m) bid.

In the round, The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) auctioned nine stretches of roads spanning 566.27km across Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar and Tamil Nadu.

Signapore-based Cube Highways offered the bid for a 30-year concession period.

Victoria receives more than $615.4m in funding for road projects

The Australian Government granted a more than A$1bn ($615.4m) infrastructure package to the Victorian government to boost its regional road network.

Combined with state funds, the package will be used to reduce congestion on roads and increase the safety of travellers.

Along with the funding from the state government, infrastructure projects in Victoria will receive an additional billion dollars in funding.

EIB to provide €450m loan for road rehabilitation in Ukraine

The European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a €450m loan to facilitate the rehabilitation of the Ukrainian road network.

The loan will be used to construct new roads and improve the roads situated along the country’s important highway connections.

The money will be used to improve the road network included in the extended Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) that connects Ukraine to the EU.

UAE tests driverless Mercedes car on Dubai to Abu Dhabi road

The Emirates Authority for Standardization and Metrology (ESMA) tested a Mercedes driverless car on the route between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

The test aimed to assess the car’s performance in real-life conditions.

During the test, the vehicle faced challenges such as hot weather conditions and the sudden braking and speed changes of other vehicles.