USA
Allegheny County Port Authority installs air purification devices in buses
Intelligent Transport 28.12.2021
The Allegheny County Port Authority is installing air and surface cleaning devices in its fleet of 700 buses to improve customer service by creating an even healthier and safer environment for its passengers and employees.
In the fall of 2021, the installation of NFI Parts® preventive air and surface cleaning units (PASP) began, and currently more than half of the bus fleet is equipped with them.
"The safety of our employees has always been our top priority, and we remain committed to taking all precautions to ensure the safety of our vehicles," said Port Authority CEO Catherine Kelleman.
PASP installations use disinfection technology by creating clusters of high-energy ions that are distributed throughout the interior of the vehicle, safely disinfecting both air and surfaces. Devices installed directly inside the cabin destroy the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as other viruses, bacteria and volatile organic compounds in the air and on surfaces.
In addition to these devices, the Allegheny County Port Authority will soon install high-performance HVAC filters in buses so that drivers and employees breathe fresh and clean air. Filters will be installed during regular scheduled preventive maintenance. PASP units and HVAC filters cost the Department $2.9 million and were paid for with local and federal funds.
Kansas City Airport invests in wireless charging system for bus routes
Intelligent transport 04.01.2022
As part of the $1.5 billion Kansas City International Airport (KCI) new terminal project, the Kansas Department of Aviation has announced that it is investing in the first wireless vehicle charging system installed in the United States.
The Aviation Department will use this technology to increase the power reserve of its electric buses without installing a ground charging station and without taking buses out of service for charging. Momentum Dynamics will provide charging equipment that will be ready for the opening of the new terminal in 2023.
"Induction (wireless) charging is not only a cost—effective solution, but also the only system that can supply energy without traditional connected infrastructure," said Aaron Kaden, Acting manager of KCI.
The induction charging system will provide charging for existing KCI Economy Parking electric buses, which will allow buses to operate longer on a seven-mile route. The system will be equipped with two 300 kilowatt (kW) wireless chargers located at the bus stops in the new terminal. While waiting for passengers, electric buses will park above the charging pads and automatically replenish the battery energy. Charging takes place during the boarding and disembarking of passengers, and ends when the bus leaves the platform.
Aceinna has announced a new GNSS/RTK device for precise positioning of autonomous vehicles (AV) — INS401, which will be demonstrated at CES on January 5-7 in Las Vegas
Traffic Technology Today 04.01.2022
INS401 is part of Aceinna's new product portfolio, which provides high positioning accuracy for developers and manufacturers of ADAS and AV solutions. Visitors to CES can learn more at booth 3633 – Tech East – Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall.
INS401 is a modern high—performance inertial navigation system with a dual-frequency GNSS receiver with RTK technology support, triple backup inertial sensors and a positioning motor. It is intended for use in ADAS L2+ and higher and other applications requiring accurate location information.
INS401 provides up to centimeter accuracy, increased reliability and superior performance during GNSS failures, ensuring high performance in urban environments.
INS401 is specially designed for use in automobiles and is certified at the ASIL-B level in accordance with ISO26262. The INS401 device is enclosed in a small, compact and durable aluminum housing and can be easily adapted to various conditions for quick market entry.
"Based on the ten—year history of ADAS and security applications, Aceinna is ready to create modern and promising autonomous mobility applications," says Wade Appelman, President and CEO of Aceinna. "INS401 is our next step forward, delivering sophisticated INS/RTK technology to markets with mass turnkey products. Such high—precision INS solutions usually cost ten thousand or more - we have reduced this amount to 500 US dollars!"
Electric vehicle manufacturer Fisker demonstrates a modern advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) at exhibition CES in Las-Vegas
Traffic Technology Today 05.01.2022
The ADAS platform, dubbed the Fisker Intelligent Pilot, combines four types of sensors: the industry's best set of all-round cameras, a camera-based driver attention monitoring system, ultrasound technology and a digital imaging radar system, which Fisker expects will be the first on the market.
"Our business model of rapid product development with a small amount of assets allows us to bring modern active security systems to the market earlier than our competitors," says Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker.
Fisker cameras provide the latest generation of machine vision capabilities, and the front-facing 8-megapixel camera provides the highest resolution currently available for a car. A 360-degree camera system provides object detection using proven technology used on tens of millions of vehicles around the world.
The industry's first Fisker radar system based on digital code modulation uses five devices located around the vehicle to complement the operation of cameras. The system also provides perception in conditions of bad weather and bright sunlight, and also has greater performance than analog radar systems. For example, the Fisker digital radar can detect vehicles at a distance of 200 m and pedestrians at a distance of 80 m.
The system can also work in environments with high light contrast, for example, in tunnels and on bridges, distinguish objects with different sizes and speeds on highways, such as cars, trucks and motorcycles. In addition, the Fisker digital radar can distinguish objects from the background and detect low obstacles on the roadway.
Thanks to the combined perception functions of the Fisker Intelligent Pilot with a camera and a radar sensor, it allows you to make better decisions at high speeds in highway conditions, urban traffic and in bad weather.
In addition, when the Fisker Intelligent Pilot system is turned on, it uses an internal camera that monitors the driver's drowsiness and concentration.
Spain
The Municipal transport company of the city of Madrid notes doubled indicators of green passenger transportation
Intelligent Transport 05.01.2022
Since 2020, three free routes of electric buses with zero carbon footprint have been operating in Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Empresa Municipal de Transportes de Madrid (EMT Madrid) announced that more than 2.6 million passengers used the routes in 2021. This figure is more than twice as high as in 2020, when 1.1 million passengers were transported.
In its quest to achieve the maximum reduction in emissions of ground-based public transport, the Madrid City Council announced at the end of 2021 that the municipality would cease operating diesel buses. Madrid Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida promised that from January 2023, all lines will be served by buses powered by electricity and compressed natural gas (CNG). To achieve this goal, in 2022, EMT allocated more than 177 million euros for the purchase of 520 CNG buses and 50 electric buses.
As part of strategic projects to create a more sustainable city, EMT will build an innovative "green" hydrogen production plant in the Entrevías operating center, equipped with a photovoltaic plant for generating energy from renewable sources.
In addition, EMT will undertake the design and construction of new operating centers. EMT will carry out the reconstruction project of La Elipa,
100% electric and energy-efficient depot, which will become a national and international standard and designed for
318 electric buses. In addition, to serve routes in the north of the city, EMT will build a low-emission bus center in Las Tablas with an area of more than 9,000 m2
and a total capacity of 513 seats.
Madrid City Council also plans to open the first municipal electric mobility hub Canalejas 360, located under the Plaza de Canalejas, consisting of a power plant with 12 charging points.
https://www.intelligenttransport.com/transport-news/131724/emt-madrid-zero-emission-bus-lines/