Cubic launches Surface Transport Management built on Azure

Cubic Transport Systems (CTS), a business unit of Cubic Corporation seems to be playing aggressively in the market lately. It launched NextTraffic, a cloud-enabled transportation and traffic management tool in June and in September it developed a prototype ticketing technology at train station fare gates for passenger management. The company also signed a contract of $35.5 million with Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore to design and deliver automated fare collection equipment for the authority’s future Thomson-East Coast Line. Now it has announced the launch of its new Surface Transport Management solution, built in collaboration with Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform. The solution is developed with a purpose to push the smart city initiative as this solutions sits at the core of the smart city where its multi-modal integration capabilities allow transport management centers to control and direct travel networks throughout the city, and deliver safer, more secure and more reliable journeys for travelers. CTS claims that the solution is first of its kind and showcases a complete view across all transportation modes. Microsoft says that to fast-track the smart city initiative, it is important that all the industry leaders and transportation operators should come together in order to deploy the essential solutions that are needed to continue the movement. As an example, this has meant designing a solution that is ready for the widespread deployment of fully autonomous vehicles for both passenger and freight movement. Chris Bax, CTS vice president, ITS global strategy stated, “We are delighted to be unveiling the Surface Transport Management solution in Melbourne, Australia, which is regarded as the world’s most livable city. And for livability, this includes having an efficient transport infrastructure, and Cubic’s solution delivers that.”

“Our collaboration utilizes the massive power of Microsoft technology to deliver a highly flexible solution that will meet the demands of tomorrow’s connected cities. Every city faces a unique set of challenges and as our preferred platform, Azure’s cloud-based flexibility means that each solution can be delivered in the most cost-effective way,” added Bax.

Microsoft also has its own solution to help the cities turn smarter with its CityNext initiative. Microsoft claims that the initiative will capitalize on the growing smart city opportunity by helping people sell their cross-industry solutions to local and regional governments. It helps create new opportunities and accelerate business value by developing solutions that enable Cities to meet ever-evolving citizen needs while running their City efficiently. Cities can tap into the solution portfolios of Microsoft and its partners and innovate at their own pace, deploying real-time solutions that can interoperate with and improve upon existing IT investments. Bill Mitchel, Senior Director of Worldwide Public Sector, Microsoft said, “Cubic’s innovative approach delivers a transportation platform taking advantage of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, allowing for a more flexible and scalable solution meeting today’s congestion management needs with the capability to evolve, meeting future system requirements.”