September 2013

Exciting intelligent transport system (ITS) industry news from MVIS

Posted on 26th September 2013 at 9:19 am.

Tony Price, colour variable message sign (VMS) pioneer and managing director of leading intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider, Mobile Visual Information Systems (MVIS), has stepped down to embark on the next stage of his exciting career.

From October, his role at the intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider will be filled by transport technology contractor P&D Specialist Services’ managing director and MVIS director, Pat Musgrave.

MVIS was formed in 2012, when Colour Mobile VMS, established three years earlier by Price, was joined by P&D to create the new intelligent transport system (ITS) company. Tony’s departure sees MVIS become a P&D Group company, having sold his shareholding to the company.

With Price at the helm, Colour Mobile VMS had become the first intelligent transport system (ITS) company in the UK to supply colour solar powered mobile VMS, manufactured by Bartco Traffic Equipment, to the UK traffic management, events and advertising sectors.

Colour Mobile’s union with P&D followed a joint intelligent transport system (ITS) venture between the companies to deliver the Olympic Route Network contract for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In what was believed to be the largest single deployment of solar powered VMS in the world, the joint venture supplied almost 200 units.

MVIS’ product portfolio now includes a wide range of intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions in addition to VMS, including ANPR, CCTV, radar and lighting, and clients include Transport for London, Balfour Beatty, A-one+, the Metropolitan Police and numerous events organisations.

The company began 2013 with the launch of a series of new intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions, including a portable solar powered journey time solution (SPJTS) and the Solar 2012 multi-use trailer platform, the only product on the market facilitating the mounting of multiple products on a single, solar powered, mobile platform.

Said Price: “Founding Colour Mobile VMS, bringing colour VMS to the UK, working with P&D to undertake some of the most exciting intelligent transport system (ITS) projects in the world and developing MVIS’ portfolio, have been some of the most fulfilling experiences of my career to date.

“I’m tremendously proud of what we have achieved, and look forward to watching P&D take MVIS to the next level. Pat Musgrave has over 25 years’ experience in the intelligent transport system (ITS) sector, and is held in very high esteem by customers and peers alike. The company is in very capable hands.”

On his decision to leave MVIS, Price added: “I’ve achieved with MVIS what we set out to do, and am already planning my next challenge.”

Commented Musgrave: “Working with Tony to build MVIS has been a truly remarkable experience. His passion for the intelligent transport system (ITS) industry and work ethic are inspirational, and he leaves the company in excellent shape for the next stage in its development.”

Intelligent transport system (ITS) customer in running for awards

Posted on 19th September 2013 at 9:38 am.

Written by Ben Kettell

Highways Magazine last week announced its 2013 Excellence Awards shortlist. Market leader in temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions, MVIS was delighted to see that the Olympic Route Network Team is in the running for the IHE Team of the Year award and is also nominated in the Road Marking Project of the Year category.

In what is believed to be the largest single deployment of solar powered variable message signs (VMS) in the world, MVIS supplied almost 200 units for the network, in an intelligent transport system (ITS) solution that enabled key participants to travel safely, securely and efficiently between venues and their accommodation, while also keeping London and the rest of the UK moving.

MVIS keeps its fingers crossed for the team at the 10th October awards ceremony, and looks forward to working with more transport management partners to develop new intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions for road networks across the UK.

Intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions: Highways Aug/Sept 2013

Posted on 12th September 2013 at 9:43 am.

Written by Ben Kettell

The intelligent transport system (ITS) sector is one of the fastest growing in the highways industry.

As the number of vehicles using the UK’s roads grows, so too does demand for intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions to help the network operate efficiently.

In his June spending review, George Osborne announced the government’s biggest programme of roads investment for 40 years. £28 billion of investment, including a trebling of funding for motorways and major A-roads, will lead to the biggest ever upgrade of the existing network.

Long-term, the investment will result in a more efficient road network, and the enhanced infrastructure will have beneficial ramifications throughout the economy. But short-term, the immediate consequence will be a proliferation of roadworks, the potential for a rise in the number of disrupted private journeys, and an impeded commercial distribution system.

In order to minimise the disruption anticipated, highways managers are looking to a new generation of temporary journey time intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions to provide road users with an effective real-time information service.

A market leader in temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions, Mobile Visual Information Systems Ltd (MVIS) is well placed to comment on the booming intelligent transport system (ITS) and signs market.

Said MVIS’ managing director, Tony Price: “As the volume of traffic on the UK’s road network grows, permanent intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions are being utilised to help increase the capacity of our highways.

“The M4M5 managed motorway project is one such case in point. The Highways Agency is working to improve journey times between the M4 junctions 19 and 20 and the M5 junctions 15 and 17, by converting the hard shoulder to a running lane for use during peak periods.

“It involves the installation of an intelligent transport system (ITS) solution including cameras and VMS on gantries, which will be used to vary speed limits and permit the use of the hard shoulder as a running lane at peak times.

“MVIS worked in partnership with Vysionics in the development and implementation of a temporary journey time system to inform drivers of the anticipated delays at key decision points prior to the works area, keeping them informed of journey times and enabling them to plan an alternative route when necessary.

“As the government’s new investment in the roads network comes into force, the demand for temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions, incorporating VMS, will grow, and with this in mind, we’ve developed a new temporary real time monitoring system, the Portable Solar Powered Journey Time Solution (SPJTS).

“The SPJTS was developed in response to interest from a leading infrastructure services supplier, reflecting our ongoing dedication to develop innovative intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions in partnership with public and private sector traffic management organisations.

“It enables road users to make informed decisions regarding how to minimise journey disruption, warning of delays and advising of their extent, providing users with the opportunity to take an alternative route if necessary, and comprises a range of intelligent transport system (ITS) products, including Vysionics’ SkyHawk ANPR cameras, our new Solar 2012 multi-use trailers and VMS.”

As the demand for intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions grows, so too does the significance of issues surrounding the sector. Said Price: “There are many examples of colours other than amber and white being used for road signs around the country. Chapter 8/MS4 style pictograms incorporating red, white and amber are commonplace in many local authorities and on managed motorway networks, and A-one+ is currently using our VMS to provide strategic MS4 style pictograms and speed roundels to support A1 Allerdene Bridge northbound refurbishment works.

“Constant advances in LED, battery and solar technology mean that legislation will always be playing catch up with the latest intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions available. I am pleased to say that In my opinion there has been a noticeable positive change in approach to using new technologies in our industry over the last year. When a product becomes available that can only enhance road worker and road user safety a common sense approach to use appears to be the order of the day.”

New intelligent transport system (ITS) satellite solution from MVIS

Posted on 2nd September 2013 at 3:58 pm.

Written by Ben Kettell

Leading temporary intelligent transport system (ITS) solutions provider, Mobile Visual Information Systems (MVIS) Ltd, has enhanced its portfolio with the introduction of the Satellite Broadband Solution (SBS).

The SBS is a static satellite intelligent transport system (ITS) solution, created specifically for the rigorous demands of remote high speed satellite internet.

This state of the art SBS intelligent transport system (ITS) solution is deployed using a static mount that can either be secured to a structure using a wall mount or placed on a self supporting ground stand. Commercial grade engineering and components allow the SBS to operate in all weather conditions, in some of the harshest environments.

Once set up, the SBS intelligent transport system (ITS) solution provides an ‘Always Open’ broadband connection that boasts an uptime of 99.97%.