Features

Thimarafushi forms part of the Thaa Atoll lying in the Indian Ocean but access has been limited in the past. However the construction of a new airport planned by the Maldives Government will help develop the tourist trade, boosting the local economy. Most visitors previously used the country’s two international airports, using these as hubs for flights to the country’s six domestic airports. This has limited travel to only a few of the country’s 1,192 islands, of which around 200 are inhabited. As a result,

An array of new software tools will deliver greater efficiencies to construction companies – Mike Woof writes. Sophisticated software systems are delivering advanced solutions to traditional construction tasks. Key developments have been made by major players in the sector, such as Bentley Systems, Fugro Roadware, Leica Geosystems and Topcon Sokkia. From Bentley comes a new package that will help road construction activities in urban areas featuring a heavy concentration of underground utilities. This n

Attracting an HxGN Live event record-breaking 3,500 attendees, HxGN Live 2014 held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, US, June 2-5 showcased exciting new and in-demand design, measurement and visualisation technologies for industries including road construction and mining. Themed Great Stories Start Here, this year’s event also included a variety of exclusive presentations by industry experts, hands-on training, inspiring keynotes and international networking opportunities. Guy Woodford reports In

Political and economic changes around the world are impacting on the way bitumen is supplied and used - Kristina Smith reports on the Argus Europe Bitumen conference in Rome, and highlights some of the new technologies being launched to address these changes Attendees at the Argus Europe Bitumen Conference, held in Rome on 11th and 12th June heard how the global bitumen market is changing. More refineries are expected to close in Europe; the US, with its shale oil, is dominating bitumen supply to some re

In Africa, one of the world’s fastest-growing cities is using the latest asphalt plant technology to boost its road maintenance work; while leading firms are finding their innovative solutions in demand in Europe and the Americas. Guy Woodford reports A new up to 180tonnes/hour Marini UltiMAP 2000 plant is helping Lagos State Public Works in Lagos, Nigeria implement a five-year strategic road map aiming to ensure high standards of road maintenance and improve infrastructural development across the city of m

Italy’s Il Caravaggio International Airport handles close to 9 million passengers/year, making it the country’s fourth busiest. Originally called Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, it is a popular facility for low cost airlines as it is close to Bergamo and just 40km from Milan, as well as being convenient for other destinations in Northern Italy.

Located in Meeker, Colorado and serving the area for air transportation is Meeker Airport, a C-II general aviation airport. The FAA designation of C-II means the airport can accommodate aircraft with wingspan of less than 24m. Runway 3-21 at the Rio Blanco county-owned Meeker Airport had reached a point of wear and deterioration that required full reconstruction and upgrades to remain compliant with the FAA’s C-II requirements.

Jason Bittner discusses effective strategies for implementing efficient asset management practices The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) established a performance-based highway programme aimed at improving how Federal transportation funds are allocated. The MAP-21 programme requires state departments of transport (DOT) to develop risk-based transportation asset management plans (TAMP) for roads and bridges. This move has also refocused attention on the need for asset management in t

The IRF will be holding the fourth edition of its acclaimed road safety training program for highway engineers and road safety managers on November 30th – December 9th in Orlando, Florida.

1st IRF Africa Regional Congress inspires stakeholders to take action. IRF’s 1st Africa Regional Congress concluded on June 6th with a renewed call for African leaders to address the infrastructure and mobility challenges that so often accompany rapid economic growth and increasing motorisation. The highly successful event was held against a backdrop of unprecedented road infrastructure investments across sub-Saharan Africa, but also mounting mobility challenges. “The results of investments in roads have

Work is well underway on turning a busy just over 11km two-lane link road from the city of Nottingham to Junction 24 of the M1 in Leicestershire, England into a four-lane highway. The widened highway will relieve considerable peak-time congestion for travellers to Nottingham, the M1 and East Midlands Airport while also making journeys safer and more reliable. Guy Woodford reports Used by up to 30,000 vehicles a day, the A453 is renowned for congestion at peak travel times. But years of day-to-day commuter a

The European Union Road Federation (ERF) has put out an “urgent” call for “EU Member States to prioritise road maintenance” as neglected surfaces continue to deteriorate and the potholes grow larger and larger. ERF wants the EU to “put alternative financing mechanisms into place” as soon as possible, to tackle what it sees as a growing road safety crisis across the region.

The creation of a new version of the world’s longest floating bridge in Seattle, in the US state of Washington, is among the world’s most eye-catching current bridge engineering projects. It is an impressive example of the health of the bridge replacement sector, particularly in the US, leaving it well placed for growth. Guy Woodford reports Already the world’s longest floating bridge at over 2,310m long, the Governor Albert D Rosellini-Evergreen Point Floating Bridge in Seattle in the United States is g

Big orders for and progress in plant and concrete mixing technology has been continuing at a rapid pace over recent months, as Guy Woodford reports Shantui recently completed an eye-catching US$3.2 million deal with a customer in the United Arab Emirates for 50 concrete mixer trucks. The deal is said to be an important breakthrough for the Chinese company’s concrete machinery in the Middle East market, raising brand awareness and laying a solid foundation for building market share. Over the past y

Major advances are being seen in the market for loading and hauling machines, with manufacturers developing new solutions for the quarry segment in particular- Mike Woof writes Wheeled loaders and rigid chassis dump trucks are key movers in many quarry operations. New develop-ments have seen the introduction of several new models from key players.