Features

Mike Dreznes, executive vice president at the International Road Federation (IRF) discusses road safety for work zone areas. Work zones around the world can create significant congestion and can cost society billions of dollars. Estimates in the United States alone include approximately 87,600 work zone crashes involving 37,500 injuries that result in 482 million lost hours, valued at approximately US$6.5 billion. When considering these numbers worldwide, it becomes clear that work zone safety and work zone

The Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, Department for Traffic Signalization, University of Zagreb has carried out extensive research into markings in partnership with SWARCO. The two bodies have evaluated the performance of waterborne and solvent based paints under normal usage conditions. The aim is evaluate the use of waterborne road markings in Croatia, to reduce the emissions of volatile organic compounds and increase the safety of applicators by eliminating toxic and flammable materials. Te

Better road markings can boost safety for road users. There is currently a strong focus on traffic safety in Europe with a number of programmes intended to reduce the overall number of crashes on roads and cut the statistics for injuries and fatalities. In the first EU programme implemented between 2001 and 2010, the goal was to halve the number of people killed in road crashes. Most EU countries showed significant improvement over the decade and a few countries met or even exceeded this target of 50% r

Mike Dreznes, executive vice president at the International Road Federation (IRF) discusses the proper utilisation of longitudinal barriers as a road safety priority Road authorities have a duty of care to ensure infrastructure not only meets safety requirements but provides protection for all road users. Crash barriers play an essential role in maximising safety, lowering the risk of sudden impact for road users and also allowing redirective capabilities. If a road authority has a rigid hazard locate

An array of versatile new machines from different segments is available for the rental sector - Mike Woof writes The rental machine market continues to develop in many countries around the world. Equipment rental has a long history in the UK and the US and in more recent years has developed well in France also, while other countries are also benefiting from growth in this sector. As with other machines, equipment for the European and US rental sector now has to meet tough exhaust and noise emissions legi

Emerging markets, such as North and East Africa, are developing an appetite for materials testing equipment, but suppliers need to provide expertise and training as well as a broad range of machines, as Kristina Smith finds out Asking what sort of testing equipment is required for Africa is a little bit like asking what sort of food Europeans like to eat. The answer is that requirements vary enormously from the most basic and ancient of tests to the very cutting edge of dynamic testing. “You have some

An experienced contractor in Australia is benefiting from using stringless controls for slipforming work to boost efficiency. Set up times are shorter using the Topcon technology for stringless paving An Australian contractor is now benefiting from using stringless controls for slipforming work on its Power Curbers machine Statewide Kerbing of Sydney, New South Wales, has been an innovator with different types of slipforming work in Australia. And the firm has taken that one step ahead by using the

The use of machine control technology on a bypass construction job has boosted quality quality control is a topic that clients as well as contractors are finding increasingly important. Control systems are being used more and more often on construction sites as a result, so as to collect data on a range of processes. This includes looking at the asphalt being supplied to site and on the quality of paving during construction. Using this data, processes can be optimised in the medium-term and, in the long-ter

A series of new advances in asphalt plant design are now coming to market - Mike Woof writes Key innovations in asphalt plant designs from major manufacturers will offer clients reductions in running costs along with gains in quality control and output. Several of the leading manufacturers are introducing new models that will deliver efficiency gains, as well as options for greater mobility and/or versatility. Swiss-based Ammann is introducing two new mobile plants, the EcoBatch and QuickBatch models,

A sophisticated Benninghoven asphalt plant is now in use by a UK contractor close to London - Mike Woof writes UK contractor FM Conway is now operating a second highly advanced asphalt plant in the London area. As with the first unit supplied a few years ago, the plant was designed and constructed to FM Conway’s specific needs by leading producer Benninghoven. This latest plant is located to the west of London (the earlier plant is to the east of the city) and close to Heathrow Airport. Being situated

Terex Trucks is set to benefit significantly from new thinking and investment in its production processes, dealership networks, and customer support capability. The Motherwell, Scotland-headquartered articulated and rigid truck manufacturer has been “refreshed” by its €123.5 million acquisition last year by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), according to new Terex Trucks global sales and marketing director Sam Wyant. Wyant said: “We’ve had audits by the Volvo Group on our factories to see what we ca

As a major presence in the construction sector, the Fayat Group is well-placed to understand the current market conditions. President Jean-Claude Fayat revealed that the firm does have a strong insight into the state of the international market, as well as some key developments for 2015. With much of its operation based in Europe, the company has been affected by the currency situation.

Chinese firm Shantui sees Europe and the US as key markets where it can develop its sales presence. Vice president of Shandong Shantui Construction is Zhu Zhi and he said, “We need to upgrade our engines and develop new machines for this market.” As part of its expansion into Europe, the company is also looking to further develop its dealer network and service support. At present the hydrostatic SD10YE and SD16-3 dozers are Shantui’s key offerings in Europe. But Zhu explained, “At the beginning of next yea

Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe) has ambitions to be the number one construction equipment supplier in Europe, revealed president and CEO Moriaki Kadoya. He was speaking at INTERMAT 2015 where his company unveiled a host of new products.

Chemical company Evonik is targeting the construction sector at Intermat 2015 with its specialist Dynavis technology which it says can boost the performance of hydraulically-operated plant by up to 30%. “We are taking market share from conventional hydraulic fluids,” Dr Ralf Duessel, head of Evonik’s oil additives business line said. “There’s a continuous move towards premium fluids and by being active in the end markets, we find that we double our impact on the market.” Dynavis technology, which has been a