Biz Briefs: Lightning eMotors Surpasses 5 Million Miles, FDOT, and More

Lightning eMotors, Florida Department of Transportation, Alstom, and School Bus Safety Company recently announced news from their respective companies.

Lightning eMotors Surpasses 5 Million Miles

Lightning eMotors announced its fielded units deployed to commercial electric vehicle fleets have surpassed five million real-world miles. 

To date, Lightning has delivered over 600 zero-emission commercial vehicles to customers, dealers, and upfitters. 

Lightning’s vehicles are now operating at over 80 fleet depots across North America.

“This isn't the start of our journey. Lightning is a pioneer of commercial vehicle electrification, and five million miles is a huge accomplishment and a testament to our status as a mature EV manufacturer deploying meaningful numbers of vehicles into the market,” said Tim Reeser, co-founder/CEO of Lightning eMotors. “This milestone wouldn’t be possible without the work of hundreds of dedicated Lightning employees who develop, manufacture, and support our vehicles.”

Lightning's mileage achievement is measured through Lightning Insights, the company's EV-specific telematics platform.

FDOT Selects Derq for Major Connected Vehicle Project

Derq announced it is partnering with the City of Sarasota in Florida to deploy intersection analytics systems as a component of the City of Sarasota Connected Vehicle (CV) Project at 16 intersections across corridors located within Sarasota, Florida. 

This three-year project is one of the city’s smart city initiatives with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to transform strategic planning.

Derq’s primary responsibility involves enabling intersection analytics systems at 16 intersections in the city to provide ongoing analysis from traffic intersection video sources of road user conflicts using artificial intelligence (AI). 

Derq’s proprietary software, including its Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) solutions, will be used to detect “near-miss” interactions at intersections and crosswalks and identify safety “hotspots” based on dangerous roadway behavior.

Alstom Presents New Battery-Powered Electric Train in Germany

Alstom and the Central Saxony transport authority, Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen (VMS), presented a new battery-powered train developed by Alstom. 

A total of eleven Coradia Continental battery-electric trains have been ordered by VMS. These trains will enter service in 2024 on the Chemnitz-Leipzig line, according to Alstom’s news release.

The Coradia Continental battery-electric train has a range of up to 74 miles and can be operated under catenary as well as on non-electrified sections of line. 

The three-car trains are 183 feet long and seat 150 passengers. In battery mode, they will reach a maximum speed of 99 mph.

School Bus Safety Company Releases Safety Reminder Series

The School Bus Safety Company announced it has created a series of six safety programs in its new Safety Reminder Series. A transit version of the series is also available.

Each program is six to eight minutes in length and covers the following:

1. Safety Management System
2. What is Safety?
3. Preventing Accidents
4. Preventing Intersection Accidents 
5. What’s In It for Me?
6. Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety

“New school bus drivers go through extensive training. We believe it is essential that all the safe concepts initially taught be reinforced and continually indoctrinated throughout the school year,” said Jeff Cassell, president of the School Bus Safety Company. “We have created this initial series of safety programs that really focus on the most important practices taught. The training is delivered online and can be watched on iPhones, laptops, or computers. Alternatively, they can be presented by a trainer in a safety meeting.”