New research shows electric vehicle (EV) batteries are reliable and long-lived The Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) commissioned an independent report into electric vehicle batteries as part of the government’s electric vehicle information campaign. Continue →

New Zealand can expect many more people taking out drone insurance as the number of drones rapidly multiply, meaning potential for accidents significantly increases The drone industry by its nature is driven by scientific advancement, technological development and commercial entrepreneurialism,  says Craig Kirk, general manager of Delta Insurance. Continue →

New York commuters anticipating the launch of the new NYC Ferry operated by Hornblower will be boarding a new transport service integrated with technology developed by Connexionz Awarded to Connexionz in a competitive international procurement process, the contract commenced roll out in February and will be completed next month, with ongoing service and support until 2022. Continue →

Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) project has been recognised for a “world first” – embedding cultural values into its sustainability approach The CRL was awarded a “Leading” Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Design rating by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), the highest possible achievment in the IS scheme. Continue →

Construction of Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) will require about 1600 people delivering the project at its peak, which could include opportunities for hundreds of workers who are new to the workforce or not currently employed The CRL is New Zealand’s biggest infrastructure project, construction on the underground rail link connecting Britomart and the city centre to the western line near Mt Eden began in December 2015. Continue →

Rail was back moving near Kaikoura as the KiwiRail train stuck between slips was shifted to allow vital work to begin on realigning the road and track at one of the major slip sites This is another step in getting the line open again, says KiwiRail Group General Manager Todd Moyle. Continue →

Testing and commissioning of the complex systems that will ensure the safe operation of the Waterview Tunnel are continuing and will not be completed in time for an April opening, the NZ Transport Agency has announced The Transport Agency and Well-Connected Alliance are working towards opening the tunnel within the next two to three months, with precise time frames dependent on the testing and commissioning work currently underway. Continue →

A KiwiRail ballast tamper has arrived in the South Island to assist in the restoration of the Main North Line (MNL) railway linking Christchurch and Picton “The tamper, along with its crew of six, is normally based in Palmerston North, but has been shifted south as part of KiwiRail’s efforts to re-open the earthquake-damaged line as quickly as possible,” KiwiRail Acting Chief Executive Todd Moyle says. Continue →

Airways New Zealand is to replace its current air traffic management platforms in a $58 million project spanning the next four years The state-owned enterprise has awarded a contract to global science and technology company Leidos to collaborate on software development and the LeidosSkyline X system, which will replace Airways’ two existing ATM platforms that were installed between 2000 and 2003. Continue →

KiwiRail’s renowned TranzAlpine service is set to resume on Wednesday March 22 after repairs to the Midland Line between Christchurch and Greymouth were completed faster than expected Bookings for the service have opened. Continue →

Global bunker fuel costs could rise by up to US$60 billion annually from 2020 when the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 0.5 wt per cent sulphur cap for bunker fuels kicks in, a Wood Mackenzie study claims Fuel oil, which is high in sulphur content, has traditionally been used by the shipping industry as bunker fuel. Continue →

The Kaikoura earthquake and lower bulk milk volumes have impacted KiwiRail’s half yearly result but Chief Executive Peter Reidy says the State-Owned Enterprise has still achieved its commitment to government with an underlying operating surplus of $23 million “KiwiRail’s performance in the first four months of this period showed our strategies of simplifying our business, standardising our assets and investing in our people were moving us in the right direction,” he explains. Continue →

The first major demolition project in the programme to restore the Main North Line linking Picton and Christchurch is about to get underway Bridge 90, near Hundalee in North Canterbury, will be taken down and replaced with a temporary bridge. Continue →

  The NZ Transport Agency says ramp signals are just one tool to optimise traffic flow and ensure the safe and smooth running of the entire Auckland motorway network Ramp signals similar to those already operating where State Highway 20 joins State Highway 1 will help regulate traffic flow on both ramps leading in the Waterview Tunnel and the east-bound ramp out of the tunnel. Continue →

  Scaffolding has been put in place on the most severely damaged bridge on the Christchurch-Greymouth line between Cass and Springfield as work to reopen the line gathers pace “Work is progressing well and we are working hard to achieve the early April re-opening date,” says KiwiRail Group General Manager Network Services Todd Moyle. Continue →

                    Researchers from Switzerland’s École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) have developed an advanced algorithm for automated vehicles operating alongside manually-driven vehicles Thought it’s certain that self-driving vehicles are here to stay, the transition from a handful of autonomous and connected cars today to a true smart system by 2030 remains uncertain. Continue →

The NZ Transport Agency has welcomed the decision to refer the applications for the Northern Corridor Improvements project to a Board of Inquiry, saying it is an exciting milestone for improving Auckland’s transport connections The Minister for the Environment has agreed with an Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) recommendation that the project is nationally significant and a Board of Inquiry is the best process to consider the applications. Continue →

The NZ Transport Agency has welcomed a ministerial decision to refer its application for designation and resource consents for the East West Link project to a Board of Inquiry. Continue →

The announcement that urban development authority legislation will be fast tracked and the identification of an indicative route for the Warkworth to Wellsford motorway are major steps forward for infrastructure and growth, says Infrastructure New Zealand CEO Stephen Selwood. Continue →

Transport minister Simon Bridges says the opening of two temporary bridges on the alternate state highway route between Picton and Christchurch will improve safety and reduce travel times while repairs to State Highway 1 are underway. Continue →