Transoft Solutions Inc., a global leader in transportation engineering design and analysis software, announced today that its Belgian affiliate company has acquired Airtopsoft SA, a leading developer of airspace and airport modeling solutions. “The combined know-how of the staff and synergy with our other software will ensure that we continue to offer products and services […]
Daniel Shihundu, Vice President of the Design Unit at Transoft Solutions, travelled to Vancouver Island in early October to meet with students at the University of Victoria. Daniel gave a lecture on intersection and roundabout design to UVic’s third-year civil engineering students. The class also included a roundabout tour, where Daniel explained a bit about […]
AviPLAN 2.0 adds more functionality to the existing bundle of industry-leading aviation software, thereby enhancing productivity for airport planners and safety at the airside. The newest version of AviPLAN features 3D terrain capability, user-defined tracking points, new docking rules and more. Learn more about the newest AviPLAN release here.
The newest version of TORUS 5.1 Roundabout software has been released! TORUS 5.1 features new design guidelines, mini-roundabouts, and new features for roundabout grading. Learn more about the newest TORUS Roundabouts release here.
What do you do when you experience growing demand for products and support in a region? You find and assemble the best local talent who share your company’s values and you let them have at it of course!
A road in Sweden has become the testing ground for a new technology that could allow electric vehicles to be powered on the move, rather than by relying on batteries. A two kilometre section of the E16 motorway is being used for the trial, which uses ideas similar to those seen in some rail and […]
The UK’s road network should be redesigned to replace T-junctions with mini-roundabouts wherever possible in order to make highways easier to navigate for older drivers and reduce the risk of accidents. This is one of the recommendations from a new report by the Road Safety Foundation, which noted that the UK has not previously taken […]
Plans by the UK government to ease congestion on the nation’s motorways by converting hundreds of miles of hard shoulder into permanent driving lanes have been criticised by a group of MPs, who described the proposals as dangerous. The Transport Select Committee said the dramatic change brings with it serious risks and all drivers should […]
A new UK research project is being launched to gain a better insight into the potential impact that the proliferation of autonomous vehicle technology will have on the country’s transport infrastructure. The People in Autonomous Vehicles in Urban Environments (PAVE) consortium, which is based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire and counts infrastructure support service […]
Highways England has announced the commencement of work to upgrade 56 overhead gantries on a 17-mile smart motorway route near Manchester. The work will take place between junction 8 of the M60 near Sale and junction 20 of the M62 near Rochdale, with four specialist subcontractors utilising cranes, scissor lifts and cherry pickers to remove […]
US mathematicians have developed a potentially useful new traffic model by applying mathematical analysis to the movements of ants. Students from the Harvard John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have used a heuristic technique called ant colony optimisation to find the most efficient time settings for traffic signals on a grid of […]
Approximately €18 million (£14.31 million) will be spent on a new project designed to improve electric vehicle infrastructure on the continent. The Fast-E project is being bankrolled by manufacturer Nissan and the EU, with the aim of establishing 278 charging points 80 km apart along Germany and Belgium’s main motorways by the end of 2016, […]
An innovative 4D modelling method has been developed by Concordia University to aid the planning and completion of public transportation infrastructure projects. The innovative method is the first of its kind to integrate stochastic simulation techniques, which are algorithms designed to predict and account for randomness, into the 3D modelling of highways. This allows planners […]
A new study has provided evidence that an innovative type of road structure called a diverging diamond interchange (DDI) can help to improve traffic flow and minimise the risk of collisions occurring. Civil engineers from the University of Missouri have examined the implementation of these designs in the US to see what benefits the interchanges […]
A new report has revised upwards the estimated number of driverless cars that will be sold worldwide by 2035. The IHS Automotive figures indicate that nearly 21 million autonomous vehicles will be sold globally by 2035 – up from around 600,000 units in 2025, reflecting a 43 percent compound annual growth rate over the course […]
Between tomorrow (April 21st) and Friday, drivers in Europe should expect to see a significant spike in speed enforcement activity across the continent. As part of the European Traffic Police Network’s (TISPOL’s) weeklong speed enforcement campaign, police officers will be taking part in a so-called “speed enforcement marathon” – a 24-hour blitz against reckless and […]
Europe is about to “pick up the pace” when it comes to getting connected and driverless cars on the road, thanks to a new agreement reached in the Netherlands last week (April 14th). Dubbed the Declaration of Amsterdam, the deal – which was negotiated by EU transport ministers, the European Commission and the European Automobile […]
Many drivers in the Gulf States are putting their safety at risk by failing to use their cars’ indicators correctly – even if they say they do. This is according to the results of a new study by YouGov, backed by Qatar Insurance Company (QIC) and Road Safety UAE, and published on Tuesday (April 12th). […]
Ever used your smartphone while crossing the road? Well, you’re not alone, according to a major new study from DEKRA Accident Research. The German company monitored almost 14,000 pedestrians in six cities in Europe – Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Paris, Rome and Stockholm – and documented their smartphone use in the vicinity of traffic. It found […]
A new survey has found that local authorities in England and Wales saw a 50 per cent increase in budget shortfalls for road maintenance between 2014 and 2015, thanks in part to a 16 per cent decline in available cash year on year. The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance (ALARM) survey, published on March 23rd […]
The UK’s motorways will host their first trial of driverless car technology before the end of 2017, according to newly released documents from the agency responsible for managing England’s road network. Highways England’s new innovation strategy, published yesterday (April 5th), reveals plans to test autonomous vehicles on the country’s M-roads “by the end of next […]
The German government has published its new transport investment strategy, revealing plans to spend a total of €264.5 billion on infrastructure improvements between now and 2030. This is an increase of €91 billion on the country’s previous strategy, World Highways reports, and represents a concerted effort to cut congestion on major routes. More than two-thirds […]
After having been successfully trialled in a small town in North Holland, a new technology that harvests energy from road-mounted solar panels is to be tested in the US’ most populous state. This is according to Transport Technology Today, which reported this morning (April 4th) that California and the Netherlands have agreed to work together […]
Public transport users in the west of Greater Manchester should see their travel times slashed this week thanks to the launch of the region’s first-ever guided busway. The unique concrete track will serve buses running from the towns of Leigh and Atherton to the centre of the bustling British metropolis, taking just 50 minutes to […]
Starting this week (March 29th), British motorists using the M5 motorway between Bristol and Exeter should expect to see a small but significant change in the road signage along the way. Specifically, a high-tech new set of signs has been installed to show the price of fuel at nearby service stations in real time, helping […]
A US-based traffic information company claims to have built the first-ever mobile app that uses machine learning techniques to help motorists reach their destinations as quickly and efficiently as possible. Inrix Traffic, released on March 30th for Android and iOS devices, is described by developers Inrix as a “next-generation navigation and traffic app” that “learns […]
After more than a century of service, the end may finally be nigh for the humble traffic light. This is according to a new study from MIT, which explores how connected car technology opens up the possibility of controlling traffic flow in a totally new way. Specifically, vehicles that are capable of wirelessly communicating with […]
The introduction of speed-limiting technology to London’s bus fleet has the potential to substantially improve road safety in the English capital, transport authorities have claimed. On March 18th, Transport for London (TfL) announced the completion of a trial of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) technology – which prevents vehicles from accelerating past the local speed limit […]
Global traffic congestion hit an all-time high in 2015, more than doubling motorists’ rush hour travel time in some of the world’s busiest cities. This is according to the latest edition of the TomTom Traffic Index, published on March 22nd, which measured traffic volumes in almost 300 cities using some 14 trillion individual data points. […]
The government of the Australian state of Victoria has promised improvements to its fleet of much-hyped trams after a new report identified a series of safety failings with the equipment. An independent study by Interfleet on behalf of Public Transport Victoria highlighted potential problems with acceleration and braking on the AU$300 million E-class trams, as […]
Efforts to develop Hyperloop technology into a viable mode of transport are set to take place in central Europe after one of the main companies investing in the innovation signed an agreement with the Slovakian government. US-based Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) confirmed the move to explore the potential for the technology in Europe, which could […]
The UK House of Commons’ Transport Select Committee has called for the mandatory rollout of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Safer Lorry Scheme across the country and beyond in order to improve safety for other road users. According to the group of MPs, road fatalities in the UK rose by four per cent in 2014 Commercial […]
Rail passengers in the north-west of England are set to benefit from a major programme to upgrade tracks and facilities around Liverpool, it has been announced. Network Rail and the Liverpool City Region LEP will pump £340 million into the improvements, which will help deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable passenger services by 2019. […]
The development of driverless cars in the coming years may increase the need for smarter road and traffic management solutions, as it could lead to more vehicles on the highways. This is the finding of new research by the University of Leeds, published in the Transportation Research Part A journal. It stated that while an […]
A series of investments worth around £300 million to fund improvements to transport links in northern England has been announced by UK chancellor George Osborne in his latest Budget. In his annual address, delivered to Parliament yesterday (March 16th), Mr Osborne said the measures would be essential in supporting the so-called ‘Northern Powerhouse’ plans to […]
In some parts of Europe, geological hazards like landslides and subsidence are a real and ever-present threat to transport infrastructure. These incidents can cut off homes, businesses and whole communities, and even lead to injury and loss of life. Now, though, help is at hand – and from none other than the European Space Agency (ESA). […]
This week saw the end of a year-long pilot study into a new tyre safety technology conducted on the UK’s M6 motorway, and the results have been deemed so successful that its creators are already planning to trial their solution in other markets around the world. WheelRight, an Oxford-based technology company, masterminded the pilot with […]
In most countries worldwide, the vast majority of construction industry professionals are aware of the concept of building information modelling (BIM). However, whether they use it or not is another question entirely. This is according to the NBS International BIM Report 2016, which was published last month (February 25th) and provides a snapshot of BIM […]
A large proportion of Britain’s motorists are left perplexed by some of the country’s most basic road signs and markings, a new study from insurer Aviva claims. Published on February 5th, the research found that a third of drivers in the UK are unable to identify the “one way traffic” sign, while 55 per cent […]
The mooted safety benefits of driverless cars are back in the spotlight after the publication of a new study from a top UK engineering society. According to the Autonomous and Driverless Cars report, issued today (February 11th) by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), some 95 per cent of all traffic accidents could be prevented […]
A group of public and private sector organisations in Finland have announced the first steps in a new project to build a world-class test site for intelligent transport in Lapland. Called Aurora, the project will focus on the development of autonomous transport solutions, connected cars, intelligent asset management and mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) at a facility north […]
The Samsung brand is best known for high-end consumer electronics, but a new pilot scheme in South America suggests it might have something to offer in the field of road safety, too. Last week (February 2nd) saw the launch in Argentina of the Samsung Safety Truck – a prototype described by the South Korean tech […]
The UK government has awarded £20 million (€26 million) in funding to driverless car research, cementing its bid to become a world leader in the emerging field. Announced by business secretary Sajid Javid in a visit to a test facility in the West Midlands, the funding will be drawn from the £100 million Intelligent Mobility […]
Last month, the French government announced a somewhat surprising new infrastructure project: a five-year effort to pave 1,000 km of the country’s roads with solar panels. Segolene Royal, minister for ecology and energy, confirmed the plans at a conference of transport authorities at the end of January, Global Construction Review reports. She added that tenders […]
The London bus is an instantly recognisable icon of the English capital. It’s also internationally significant for another reason: with just 2.5 injuries per million passengers, the fleet has a world-leading safety record. And the city isn’t planning on stopping there. This week (February 1st), transport authorities announced a brand new six-point programme to drive […]
Lithuanian Railways (LitRail) and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have agreed a €68 million loan to support improved rail infrastructure in the country. The EIB first worked alongside LitRail in 1996 and has supported the company in modernising locomotives and upgrading general infrastructure, with existing work consisting of railway infrastructure upgrades and renewal schemes across […]
The global Business Intelligence Modelling (BIM) industry is set to witness significant growth in the coming years, a new study has found. Transparency Market Research has indicated that a tremendous increase in construction activities globally will lead to rapid growth in the coming years, while improved efficiency and fast workflow are some of the other […]
There are now plans for a complete transit system for Middle Tennessee, including light rail and faster buses. Officials believe that the cost could rise up to several billion dollars over the course of the next two decades, reaching $5.4 billion (£3.7 billion) in capital costs and $300 million annually in operational costs, according to […]
A new light rail system valued at more than 2 billion baht (£3.8 billion) is set to be developed between Phuket International Airport and Chalong intersection. It is hoped the plans will boost tourism in the South of the country and there will be 23 stations along the route, with planners deciding whether or not […]
The first two arches have now gone up on the Walterdale Bridge in Edmonton, as the development of the structure begins to gain pace. Four giant jacks now stand atop the temporary towers, which will be used to install a 950-tonne central arch segment in a lift that will take roughly six hours, according to […]
Telensa, a specialist in wireless smart city applications, has confirmed it will invest $18 million (£12.7 million) to fund new end-to-end smart city solutions that use low power wide area (LPWA) wireless technology. This funding includes equity support from the Environmental Technologies fund along with debt funding from Silicon Valley Bank. The cash will be used to […]
Microsoft has demonstrated a new connected highly automated driving (CHAD) vehicle designed to connect with the Microsoft Azure cloud and Windows 10. The exhibit at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) illustrated how the technology prevents accidents and improves comfort and convenience. The new vehicle -2-x communication (V2X) connectivity approach uses data from the vehicle’s surroundings to boost […]
The new Queensferry Crossing under construction in Scotland will be the third landmark bridge covering the Forth Estuary. Once the new structure is introduced at the end of 2016, it will represent the third landmark bridge to be developed across the water. It will stand alongside a road bridge and the historic rail bridge. The […]
The East Midlands Gateway Rail Freight Interchange has now been approved by Transport Minister Robert Goodwill. The Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) will be developed across 250 acres close to Castle Donington, meaning it will be large enough to operate as a significant infrastructure project. Space will be used for 6m sq ft of new […]
Calgary Transit has introduced a new Siemens S200 light rail vehicle, which was designed following direct input from the public. Siemens has offered trains to Calgary Transit for over 30 years and introduced new approaches and enhanced collaboration with customers to ensure the best possible technology for Calgary residents. The car manufacturer designed the light […]
The bidders shortlisted for a £400 million contract to provide a new fleet for an upgraded and expanded Merseyside network have been confirmed. Bombardier, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), Mitsui, Siemens and Stadler will work on the joint venture after the tender process was introduced in October 2014. The project will mean new trains and […]
The Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT) has developed a new guide to advise professionals how to make the most out of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology. The practice note is entitled Building Information Modelling, Collaborative and Integrated Team Working, and is designed to help practitioners to develop a better understanding of BIM and offer information on […]
A new light rail station is expected to open in March 2016, connecting the University of Washington to numerous areas of Seattle. Following years of planning and construction, the Sound Transit Husky Stadium light rail station is expected to open by the end of March and will enable faster travel between the University of Washington, […]
BIM Campus Newcastle is set to develop a new training suite that is designed for up to 15 learners. The development will provide exceptional hardware and technology, allowing them to prepare properly to work in the ever-evolving construction industry, with nine students recently graduating from the “free” course designed to improve the skills of young […]
An innovative new infrastructure project has gone underway in the south of England that promises both to reduce the noise impact of a major British motorway and generate green energy at the same time. Earlier this year, Highways England joined forces with the M40 Chiltern Environment Group (M40 CEG), Wycombe District Council and South Oxfordshire […]
Motor vehicle traffic in England, Scotland and Wales increased for the tenth quarter in succession in the three months to September 2015, according to new UK government data – contributing to the highest rolling annual total on record. The statistics, which were published by the Department for Transport (DfT) on November 12th and will remain […]
Driving in London can be a slow and frustrating process. For bus passengers, it’s even more so – problems like unexpected waiting times and driver absenteeism only serve to compound the city’s notorious level of congestion. In order to tackle problems like this, transport planners need the right data at their disposal. Historically, Transport for […]
Back in 2011, the UK government set about accelerating the adoption of building information modelling (BIM) in the country’s construction sector. One of its tactics to this end was to stipulate that all government contracts, regardless of size, should be delivered using collaborative 3D BIM within the next half-decade – specifically by the beginning of […]
Despite the UK’s extensive history of transport innovation, the country still has a long way to go before the majority of its travellers express satisfaction with their experiences on road and rail. This is according to Britain’s biggest-ever traveller experience study, Traveller Needs, which was carried out by the Transport Systems Catapult – a government-funded […]
AutoTURN has long been established as the prime solution for swept path calculations in the AEC sector. Architects, engineers and traffic planners rely heavily on the simple and user-friendly Transoft software to simulate vehicle swept paths with extremely high accuracy in a wide variety of contexts. From simple parking lots in private homes to the […]
It is hardly a secret that turbo-roundabouts are quickly becoming more and more popular in the UK, the rest of Europe and all across the globe due to their increased efficiency and safety compared to traditional roundabout designs. However, since turbo-roundabouts were only invented fairly recently, they have been introduced rather slowly everywhere outside of […]
With just over 110,000 inhabitants, the city of Luxembourg is not exactly what one would call an overflowing metropolis. However, its traffic problems match those of some of the busiest urban areas anywhere. In fact, some sections of the Grand Duchy’s capital have been suffering from severe traffic overload for years. One of the most […]