Image: A cartoon of National Connected Multimodal Transport in action. Photo: courtesy of WSP
Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Image: New University Research to focus on traffic mobility challenges. Photo: courtesy of NYU School of Engineering.
Image: Road surface in Cardiff. Photo: courtesy of Smart Parking Ltd.
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WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff to develop living transport lab in Australia

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global engineering company, partnered with the University of Melbourne, the Australian government and leading industry partners from around the globe to create the first multimodal connected transport laboratory at Melbourne’s CBD area in Australia.

The new partnership will be engaged in developing of a National Connected Multimodal Transport (NCMT) test bed.

NMCT will focus on multimodal transportation systems consisting of connected vehicles, roadways, city logistics, public transportation and connected pedestrians and cyclists.

TfL awards £500m road contract to three construction companies

Transport for London (TfL) in the UK awarded contracts worth £500m to three construction companies for the construction of complex tunnels and highways.

The construction companies who received these contracts include Costain, Morgan Sindall and Skanska. They will be carrying out these projects over the next four years.

The new contract will see the companies working with TfL to design and build some of London's most high-profile and complex road improvement projects.

Amazon Alexa integrated into INRIX OpenCar platform

INRIX, a global company that offers connected car services and transportation analytics, integrated Amazon Alexa, the intelligent cloud based voice service, into the OpenCar platform for connected vehicles.

The company said that in the second half this year, drivers with OpenCar enabled vehicles will have the option to access services from their vehicles such as Amazon Music, Audible audiobooks, and INRIX Driver Services such as traffic, parking, incidents and road weather conditions through Amazon Alexa.

INRIX OpenCarallows cross-brand development for third-party content providers, as well as consistent and rich user experience for drivers, and brand-, model- and region-specific interfaces for automakers.

New University Research Center to study urban traffic challenges

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The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) chose a research consortium led by the New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering for the Tier 1 University Transportation Center (UTC) in New York City, which will focus the mobility challenges facing urban areas.

The consortium will be led by NYU Tandon Department of Civil and Urban Engineering professor Kaan Ozbay.

The new research and education centre will receive a $7m grant over the next five year period from USDOT and additional funds will be added in the five year period that will increase the budget to $10.5m.

AfDB to provide $40.8m loan for Lomé–Cotonou road project in Western Africa

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) committed to providing a $40.8m loan to the Republics of Benin and Togo, which aim to transform the Lomé–Cotonou Road into a four-lane, 30 km road linking the capitals of the two countries.

The project will connect the Togolese portion of the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, which is a strategic route for the movement of people and goods in Western Africa.

It will also consolidate integration and improve living conditions for 1.7 million people living in the region.

Skanska enters into JV to build new Sixth Street Viaduct in Los Angeles

Skanska, a global project development and construction company, entered a joint venture with Stacy and Witbeck, to sign a contract with the City of Los Angeles for constructing a new Sixth Street Viaduct in Los Angeles, US.

The total contract is worth $191m. The bridge, which is known as known as ‘The Ribbon of Light’, has been designed by Los Angeles-based architect Michael Maltzan, and is to become a landmark in Los Angeles.

This original bridge was constructed in 1932 and spanned about 1,000m across the river. The bridge had to be demolished and replaced due to a rare chemical reaction in the cement supports and seismic vulnerability.

Cardiff City Council all set to use Smart Parking technology

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As part of its commitment to creating a liveable smart city environment, Cardiff City Council will be using Smart Parking technology, including Europe’s First Citywide Deployment of Bay Sensor Technology.

Delivered by the UK-based technology company Smart Parking, this technology would help in transforming the parking experience through a combination of different technologies that include infrared vehicle detection sensors and Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology.

Cardiff Cabinet Member for Planning Transport and Sustainability Councilor Ramesh Patel said: “The City Council’s primary focus is to encourage public transport, cycling and walking and encouraging people to leave their cars at home.

UK Government to fund Mersey Gateway Bridge scheme in Halton

The UK Government announced its support of the Mersey Gateway Bridge scheme in Halton by offering substantial funding.

The government has also extended its support by delivering a number of transport improvements in and around Halton, such as the Halton Curve which enables passenger services from North Wales and West Cheshire to directly access Liverpool city centre and Liverpool John Lennon airport.

The government has also announced Warrington Waterfront transport infrastructure scheme, which is a highway investment package that includes a bridge over the River Mersey, which opens up commercial land and eases traffic congestion to the south of Warrington town centre.

Canada and Nova Scotia announce completion of new interchange on Highway 103

The Government of Canada and Nova Scotia announced the completion of a new interchange on Highway 103 between Upper Tantallon and Hubbards.

The project works included construction of a new overpass over the Highway 103, and four ramps forming a diamond interchange, as well as construction 1.6km connecting road from the highway to Trunk 3.

It also included construction of a roundabout at Trunk 3, and a new bridge over Kieley Brook. Canadian Member of Parliament for South Shore to St. Margarets Bernadette Jordan said: “Public infrastructure connects people, supports job creation, and boosts economic development.

AfDB supports Comoros road network rehabilitation project

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The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) approved a grant of $20.4m to the Union of Comoros Government to strengthen its economy with a road network rehabilitation project.

The project will be primarily focusing on the improvement of key roads infrastructure on the National Road-2 and Road-23 to enhance trade and spur economic growth.

The road network rehabilitation project will help in improving traffic flow in the region as well as improve access to basic services and the living conditions of the population.