September 2000
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September 2000 |
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Industry Snippets:
September 2000 |
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Caltrans/PATH
Progressing on Multiple Fronts Top Management Impressed at PATH: When Caltrans director Jeff Morales started his new job in June, Caltrans officials in the New Technology Branch lost no time in getting him to Richmond Field Station for a briefing on PATH research and vehicle demos. He was so impressed that he insisted that his monthly Directors meeting be moved to Richmond for September. On September 19, ten state directors and fourteen district chiefs got the full PATH treatment -- exposure to precision docking (shown on cars), automated merging, their automated Freightliner tractor, snowplow guidance systems, and sensor friendly highway concepts. The response was very positive and the event was a real eye-opener for this senior management group, according to Greg Larson, Chief, Office of Advanced Highway Systems. "This will help us greatly as we move towards deployment of these technologies in California," he said. New Moves on the Buicks: PATH is planning new maneuvers at their appearance at Japan's Demo 2000 in November. Their trademark Buick Le Sabres will operate in dense fog (using the weather-making capability at the test track), providing lane guidance to the drivers with same driver-vehicle interface used currently in experimental snowplow guidance systems. Additionally, they'll show the ability to control steering in such a situation. Caltrans Demo 2002 Trucks On The Way: As part of the early preparations for Demo 2002, which will feature automated trucks and buses in platoon formations, Caltrans has selected Freightliner to supply truck tractors for the demo. As the result of a competitive bidding process, six tractors will be delivered by Freightliner to be outfitted by California PATH for automated operation, including electronic towbar functionality. Phoenix Rising: Caltrans' recruitment drive within the US for state DOT partners in the Phoenix project has been quite successful. The Phoenix Project seeks to "keep the flame alive" in promoting highway automation research and deployment for congestion relief. Ten states have joined in this "pooled fund study," at an annual level of $25,000 each for four years. The total roster of states now includes California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Utah, and Washington. Arizona is seriously considering joining. The group is looking for ways for private sector players to participate and possibly provide financial contributions. However, current federal rules do now allow this, as the program was set up long ago for cooperative work among states. Caltrans is pressuring the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to modify the rules so the private sector can indeed participate. A kickoff meeting is planned for mid-November. Automated Truck Study Stalled: The National Automated Truck Study for Interstate 10 (along the southern tier of the US), long championed by Caltrans and others, has been approved by the FHWA. However, due to retirements and staff changes, leadership for the study has bounced around between several states. Some states have approved investments of up to $1M, while others are balking at a funding formula based on the road mileage of that route within their borders. Even with this slow ramp-up, it is likely that a planning study will be conducted, over a period of the next 3-5 years. [Top]
Microsoft
Due to Release Upgrade of Windows® CE for Automotive Operating System If you haven't already heard, Microsoft has stepped strongly into the vehicle telematics domain in publishing Windows® CE for Automotive, beginning with the first version in 1998. Version updates are released on an annual basis each autumn, so Microsoft is about due for the next release. According to Microsoft literature, the appeal of Windows® CE for Automotive includes flexible choice of operating platform, hardware peripherals, software partners, and software components. Microsoft sees this as a partnership with the vehicle industry, working closely with the OEMs "to make sure they have the necessary debugging and testing tools to ship leading edge devices based on the latest information technology while adhering to automotive industry standards." A long list of automotive features, including such things as Voice User Interface and DirectX System Programming, support telematics applications, and this underlying processing power and architecture will also be part of the foundation for IV systems. In particular, warning-only safety systems can benefit from such an infrastructure, as some systems can be designed requiring no interfaces with OEM hardware or software, simplifying the product introduction process and facilitating after-market sales. [Top]
Heavy Truck Sales in Steep Downturn in US During this past summer, sales of Class 8 (the largest) tractors took a steep nosedive across the industry. Truck manufacturers have instituted one or more week-long plant shutdowns as a result, as an attempt to keep production in line with demand. This trend, if it continues, will undoubtedly affect the ability and willingness of these manufacturers to invest in R&D activities and development of new safety products. [Top]
French
Envision IVI-Type Program Sources in France relate that discussions and substantial planning are going on within the French Ministries of Transport and Research, and among the various national laboratories -- all focused on establishing a national safety program modeled on USDOT's Intelligent Vehicle Initiative program. The establishment of the resulting program is expected to be announced this fall. [Top]
NHTSA/GM
ACAS Annual Report Due in November The first annual report on progress and plans in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) flagship collision avoidance program with General Motors is expected to be published by the end of November, according to Jack Ference, NHTSA Program Manager. This $35M Advanced Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) project seeks to bring forward collision warning systems to production readiness, and includes extensive evaluation using regular drivers under normal conditions. [Top]
As of July 1, Ford Motor Company is now the proud (?) owner of Land Rover. The UK money-loser was purchased from BMW for approximately $2.7B. Since then, they've announced plans to upgrade manufacturing facilities in an attempt to double production over the next five years. [Top]
Volvo Bus Allies with Shanghai Volvo Bus Corporation is forming a joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation to build buses in China. [Top]
DaimlerChrysler, the world's leading vehicle producer, is getting even bigger, with the purchase of Western Star Trucks Holdings of Canada by DC subsidiary Freightliner. The deal is pegged at $670M. [Top]
Raytheon
E&C Absorbed into WGI Morrison Knudsen Corporation has completed their purchase of Raytheon's Engineers and Constructors business unit -- both are major players in delivering infrastructure for light rail and other infrastructure projects. Raytheon E&C is lined up with Virginia DOT to deliver the Dulles Corridor Bus Rapid Transit project, which includes precision docking at loading platforms. The combined companies, employing 38,000 people, will now be known as Washington Group International (NYSE ticker: WNG). [Top]
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Copyright 2000: IVsource.net and Richard Bishop Consulting (RBC). All Rights Reserved. |
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September 2000 |