TECHNO TRUCKS * Europe - OICA Appeals for Harmonised Intelligent Transport Systems Standards to Facilitate the Accelerated Deployment of Connected Vehicles

Paris,France -ITS America (USA) -21 April 2011:  --  The Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers makes a strong appeal towards harmonized Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) industry technical standards in order to accelerate the deployment of these systems...   In this context globally aligned wireless communication protocols for safety and mobility relevant data to connect vehicles with each other and with the roadside infrastructure are a critical element to enable deployment...   Our position is consistent with the agreement signed by the US government and the European Commission in support of global harmonization of ITS standards...

* USA - Smarter Vehicles Coming Soon That Talk and Avoid Crashes: WiFi and GPS enabled systems should dramatically cut down crashes

(Photo from YouTube: Ford's intelligent vehicle technology safety system)

New York,NY,USA -AOL Autos, by Kevin Ransom -30 April 2011: -- The auto industry is moving closer to deploying technology into vehicles that could go a long way to making vehicle crashes, at least serious ones, mostly a thing of the past... Automotive technology has advanced so rapidly in the last decade that, every time something new comes along, and many of these technologies were once regarded as so futuristic that they seemed like something out of science fiction... In this case, we're talking about an advanced "intelligent vehicle" safety system that would essentially allow vehicles to "talk" to each other. Car makers have been working on the system for about decade, but engineers say that they could be introduced into production models as early as 2015. Although, it's also possible that it could be more like 2020... In the last few months, Ford and General Motors have held public demonstrations of these intelligent-vehicle systems in action... In an effort to throw a spotlight on the new technology, the carmakers will hold driving clinics this summer, to give consumers a "hands-on' experience with the vehicles...

* USA - Urban Traffic Problems :  Some of the most valuable real estate in cities is hidden beneath parked cars ...

New York,NY,USA-CNNMoney, by Eilene Zimmerman -April 29, 2011: ... For managers of urban resources, this turf is a blind spot...   There's no real-time data about how it gets used, and you can't manage what you can't measure. Experts believe that some 30% of urban traffic comes from cars hunting for parking spaces... Enter Streetline, a 30-employee company in San Francisco that creates and installs wireless sensor networks to monitor parking spaces. Each sensor uses a magnetometer to detect the presence of large metal objects nearby... The sensors communicate wirelessly, signaling whether spots are occupied or vacant, gradually collecting data to reveal local parking patterns. That information allows cities to price their parking spaces according to their actual value, factoring in supply and demand as they would with any other piece of real estate... With that data, cities can both help ease congestion and boost their meter revenue... More cities are coming around to his way of thinking. During its first four years of business, Streetline closed only two deals. In the past six months, it closed six of them... (Photo from money.cnn: Lower East Side Seniors Home Eyes Seward Park Lots SPURA: Parking)

* Romania / Japan - Lasers Could Replace Spark Plugs, Increasing Efficiency, Cutting Emissions

Okazaki,Japan -Autopia (USA) - April 29, 2011: -- Not much change in spark plugs since their invention 150 years ago. Researchers say lasers can ignite internal combustion in engine's fuel-air mixture more efficiently than spark plugs...    Researchers in Romania, Japan say their system uses small lasers that focus beams into cylinders at varying depths, allowing for more complete combustion than occurs w/ conventional spark plugs, increasing efficiency and cutting emissions...  Downside is high pulse energy required to cause ignition. Lot of energy required to ignite fuel-air mixtur...  Lasers meeting requirements limited to basic research; were big, inefficient, and unstable, said Takunori Taira, of National Institutes of Natural Sciences in Okazaki, Japan. Team's solution is to use lasers made of ceramic powder pressed into spark-plug sized cylinder...  Researchers talking to automotive supplier Denso about developing lasers commercially...   (Image from wired: laser spark plug)

* USA - GM, Ford Adopting Stop-Start Technology

Detroit,MICH,USA -The Detroit News - April 28, 2011: -- Energy Department calculates 17.2% of vehicle's fuel is consumed when engine idles in traffic. Adds up to billions of gallons burned at stop signs, traffic lights, in urban congestion. Amounts to $0.69's worth of a $4 gallon wasted by idling... Hybrid vehicles typically have stop-start feature built into gas-electric drive systems. Conventionally powered vehicles must be engineered to incorporate technology... Relatively simple / inexpensive fuel-saving technology from Europe. Response to European Union's CO2 emission reduction and U.S. CAFE fuel economy targets Automakers adopting stop-start systems. Eliminates idling by shutting off engine when vehicle comes to complete stop... GM latest to announce stop-start feature, called eAssist. Ford intends to spread stop-start across global product range in next few years...

TECHNO-TRUCKS * UK - FTA’s telematics investigation brings big news for small fleets

Since the trial ended, Vetspeed's productivity has also improved by 200 drops a month

Nr Royston,Hertfordshire,UK -Transport Engineer, by John Challen -15 April 2011: -- A three-month trial conducted by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and transport management solutions provider Microlise has questioned the widely-held view that telemetry is the sole preserve of large fleet operators...  In a controlled trial, specialist waste management operator Vetspeed had seven of its 40 vehicles fitted with telematics systems for an initial five week period, unbeknown to its drivers...  After this first set of data was analysed and conveyed to drivers to address issues of performance, further trials were undertaken.--  Vetspeed's drivers cut their fuel consumption by 0.43mpg – despite the severe weather conditions that hit the UK during the trial – potentially saving the company around £13,000 a year...  Since the trial ended, Vetspeed's productivity has also improved by 200 drops a month, due to better routing and closer monitoring of driver behaviour. Awards were given to both the 'best' and 'most improved' drivers from the trial...

* USA - Twin Countershaft gearbox improves tractor fuel efficiency

Louisville, Kentucky,USA -Transport Engineer (UK), by Brian Tinham -18 April 2011: -- A pioneering 10-speed fully automatic transmission that incorporates Allison's torque converter and twin countershaft design is promising optimised acceleration and higher fuel economy across a range of tractor unit duty cycles...  Launched at the 2011 Mid-America Trucking Show, in Louisville, Kentucky, it is destined for availability, initially in North America, in late 2012...  Coupled with the smooth shifting and ease of operation that go with a fully-automatic box, this new technology provides OEMs and operators with a competitive and fuel efficient alternative to automated manuals...  The new transmission will also incorporate Allison's existing intelligent features, including load based shift schedules (LBSS) and reduced engine load at stop (RELS)...  (Photo from dieselprogress: The automatic: New Allison Transmission)

TECHNO-TRUCKS * UK - Arclid’s blind spot eliminator

Cheshire County,Chester,UK -HGV UK -March 3, 2011: -- Road haulage firm, Arclid Transport, has decided to lead from the front when it comes to road safety and has developed a proprietary left-side visibility system that could solve the problem of blind spots for good... The company has always prioritised safety and has reversing cameras fitted to its vehicles linked to a 7” monitor in the cab. Now, the company has developed its safety systems still further with its Blind Spot Eliminator, which link a sensor, a camera and an audible alarm to the existing monitor to ensure that drivers are always aware of any vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist on their left... The Arclid Blind Spot Eliminator works via a sensor installed in the near-side bumper bar. When the driver indicates left, if the sensor picks up any kind of object on the left of the vehicle a camera located on the passenger side mirror switches on and sends live pictures to the in-cab monitor, which is located in the sun visor area above the driver’s seat. At the same time, an audible alarm sounds in the cab to alert the driver to the potential hazard to his left, ensuring that he is prompted to look at the monitor and ensure the manoeuvre is safe before moving left...

TECHNONEWS * USA - ‘Talking’ Cars that Could Save Your Life

It's called Intellidrive

(Video from CNBC: Covering the auto industry I've seen some amazing technology over the years, but the latest crash avoidance system I tested in Detroit last week ranks among the most fascinating)

Detroit,MICH,USA -CNBC, by Phil LeBeau -25 Jan 2011: -- Using technology developed over the last nine years by a dozen major automakers working in conjunction with the federal government, Intellidrive basically revolves around cars "talking" to each other... Cars using GPS receivers and WiFi signals are constantly sending out data about their location and speed. As those signals bounce off other cars on the road or traffic signals at intersections, your car warns you when you are about to crash... The scenarios where Intellidrive works to keep you from crashing are varied... When I tested it, I was at a blind intersection and couldn't see a car approaching at roughly 35 miles per hour... Just as I was about to turn into the path of the oncoming car, Intellidrive warned me to slam on the brakes. Within a split second the system saved me from being sideswiped... Make no mistake, the "talking" car is coming. It will like be 6-7 years before Intellidrive is standard on all new cars, but it's coming...

* USA - Billionaire Venture Capitalist Vinod Khosla’s Energy Bets Inch Forward

)Photo: Vinod Khosla)

Menlo Park, California, USA -Forbes, by KERRY A. DOLAN -Jan. 25 2011: -- Superstar venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has spent the past six years or so investing in a broad array of clean energy-related companies and technologies. He readily admits that many are science experiments with a high probability of failure. But he may be getting closer to success with a few of them... Khosla recently told an audience in San Jose, Calif. that portfolio investment EcoMotors, a company that builds automotive engines that are up to 50% more efficient than current models, in early January signed up one of the larger truck makers in the world to adopt EcoMotors’ technology. Khosla didn’t specify which truck maker it was...

* USA - Chrysler announces development of hydraulic hybrid technology for cars

Deaborn,MICH,USA -Gizmag, by Mike Hanlon -January 26, 2011: -- Chrysler caught everyone off guard this week when it announced a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to design and develop an experimental hydraulic hybrid powertrain suitable for use in large passenger cars and light-duty vehicles. The announcement was made at the EPA laboratories in Ann Arbor, Mich., following a meeting with Sergio Marchionne, Chrysler Group CEO, and Lisa P. Jackson, Agency Administrator for the EPA... The hydraulic hybrid system, developed by the EPA's lab in Ann Arbor, is well known and currently used in industrial applications, including large delivery trucks and refuse trucks across the country. The technology has shown substantial increases in fuel economy when compared with traditional powertrains in the same type of vehicles. Working together, both parties hope to reduce the size and complexity of the hybrid system and produce a technology that is sensitive to the needs of drivers for smooth and quiet operation...  (Images: Chrysler hydraulic hybrid)

TECHNO TRUCKS * UK - Hydrogen generator to cut emissions for Grundon Waste trucks

Wallingford,Oxfordshire,UK -Transport Engineer, by Brian Tinham -4 Dec 2011: -- An on-board hydrogen generator, launched by h2gogo for retrofitting to petrol or diesel engined transit vans, trucks and buses, is being trialled by Grundon Waste Management... The company, which has fitted the hydrogen generators to three of its waste and recycling trucks says it is looking to the technology to reduce emissions, increase engine efficiency and power output, and improve on fuel economy... h2gogo's HRN3 unit runs on distilled water, which produces hydrogen on throttle/engine demand, eliminating the need for additional fuel storage tanks, other than a small distilled water tank... The company explains that it works by injecting hydrogen into the engine's air induction tract, at the air filter end, which then follows the standard route to the engine, via intercooler and turbo... This cycle results in the engine burning all fuel in the cylinder and cylinder head combustion chamber... Tests at the Millbrook Vehicle Emissions Laboratory suggests that the hydrogen generator cuts CO, HC, PM (particulate matter), NOx and CO2 emissions by up to a 40%... Additional trials are also due to commence shortly at: Heathrow Airport with BAA; bus and coach manufacturer Alexander Dennis, and the Metropolitan Police Service in London...

* Australia - A.N.T. Aid Necessities Transporter concept vehicle

(Image: Loading and unloading the supply unit would be an easy and efficient procedure due to the unique suspension. Whilst in Rapid mode, the vehicle simply lines itself in front of the supply unit. From here, the vehicle would lower itself whist rotating the head piece. Guided by electronics, the vehicle could then reverse into the supply unit. Once connected, the vehicle simply lifts up and drives off)

Melbourne,Australia -Gizmag, by Grant Banks -January 4, 2011:   -- A multi-purpose vehicle designed by Bryan Lee, capable of delivering emergency housing and supplies to disaster areas then rapidly returning to base ready for another mission – that is the concept behind the Aid Necessities Transporter (A.N.T.). The idea takes inspiration from it's namesake in the insect world – creating more than just a unique concept vehicle but an entirely new aid distribution system. The A.N.T has been designed to traverse rough terrain that would be impossible for conventional trucks to navigate, delivering supply pods and temporary shelter to disaster stricken communities...

(Image: The ability to transform the supply unit into a temporary housing is another efficient way in aiding people in need)
The vehicle then transforms itself into a low-profile form for a swift return to headquarters...


* Denmark - Anti Sleep Pilot detects drowsy drivers

(Photo: The Anti Sleep Pilot is a dashboard device that lets drivers know when they're becoming too fatigued)

Copenhagen,Denmark -Gizmag, by Ben Coxworth -January 3, 2011: -- According to a 2008 study by the Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute, about 20 percent of all road traffic accidents are caused by driver fatigue. Tired motorists are also eight times more likely than rested motorists to get in an accident, displaying driving abilities similar to those of someone who is intoxicated. The problem is, we often don’t know when we’ve reached that “too tired” state – a situation that the Anti Sleep Pilot was created to address. The Danish-designed device sits on your dashboard, monitoring you and your driving conditions, and lets you know when it’s time to pull over and take a ten-minute rest.

... Unlike systems developed by Fraunhofer and Lexus, it does not use cameras to monitor the driver’s eyes.... The Anti Sleep Pilot is so far only available in Denmark, although interested parties can pre-order on the company website. Its price should be around US$250...

Stability Technology * USA - Indian River Transport opts for Bendix one

Winter Haven,FL,USA -Fleet Owner -Nov 29, 2010: -- Indian River Transport, a privately owned food-grade carrier based in Florida, will outfit a new order of tractors with the Bendix ESP electronic stability program...   The carrier will include the system on all of its planned purchases of 350 Peterbilt 386 and Volvo VN Series tractors. Indian River currently runs 470 tractors and 600 trailers... Bendix ESP includes both roll and directional stability, according to the manufacturer. It recognizes and mitigates conditions that could lead to rollover and loss-of-control situations on a wide range of road conditions, Bendix said, including snow and ice-covered roadways... (Photo from automotivesupplier: Bendix Active Safety Solutions)