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Moscow to invest $20 billion in massive road-building by 2015
March 28, 2014
A huge investment in road building will expand Moscow’s network – Eugene Gerden reports The government of Moscow plans to invest more than RUB 640 billion (US$20 billion) during the period of 2014-2015 .in a massive investment of road building in the city. This is expected to be part of Moscow city’s Master Plan, which is designed until 2025. Building of new roads is crucial for Moscow and should help the city to solve the problem of traffic jams. Despite all the efforts made by the city’s authorities in re
Geneva has a strong partnership with Birmingham University in the UK
March 28, 2014
IRF Geneva's longstanding partnership with the University of Birmingham has been expanded to form one of the sector’s most comprehensive professional development programmes IRF Geneva offers a rich palette of educational and professional development opportunities and resources. Programmes range from scholarships for master degree studies to the regular organisation of targeted vocational training workshops. A full listing can be accessed via the ‘training & services’ section of the IRF Geneva website (www.i
IRF to hold four regional congresses in 2014
March 28, 2014
In 2013, IRF members launched three new regional affairs Committees covering Latin America & the Caribbean, the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, each tasked with connecting with IRF members active in these regions and developing bespoke capacity building programs that leverage IRF know-how. IRF is also strengthening its program of operations in the Asia Pacific region following renewed interested expressed by senior government officials during the recent IRF World Meeting.
17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition: Sharing Knowledge Across Borders
March 28, 2014
IRF publishes highlights and proceedings of the premier event for transportation professionals in 2013 IRF World Meetings have constituted important focal points for the sector ever since the first Meeting in 1952. Held on 10-14 November 2013 against a backdrop of unprecedented infrastructure expansion in Saudi Arabia, the 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition continued this proud tradition and set new standards for scale, scope and outreach.
Improving conspicuity and safety for India’s cyclists
March 13, 2014
IRF’s India Chapter launches major drive to promote the conspicuity of cyclists Road accident deaths in India are among the highest in the world. Cyclists constitute a particularly vulnerable category of road users with more than 6,800 estimated to have lost their lives on the country’s roads in 2011 alone. A large proportion of the fatalities can be attributed to nothing more than the fact that cyclists are not always sufficiently conspicuous to other road users. To address this tragic state of aff
The IRF is gearing up for greener road infrastructure
March 13, 2014
Prominent new publication reinforces IRF Geneva’s long-standing commitment to making sustainable transport a reality Moving Towards Green Road Infrastructure: Case Studies and Lessons Learned’ is the latest in a series of practical resources developed by IRF Geneva aimed at identifying tangible solutions for encouraging sustainability at every stage of the road infrastructure life cycle. Formally launched last December in the framework of the IRF Geneva Summit ‘Bringing Policy and Practice Together’,
The IRF is committed to Africa’s Transport Agenda
March 13, 2014
Regional Congress to take place June 4-6 in Abuja, Nigeria The 17th IRF World Meeting & Exhibition created opportunities for stakeholder discussions around global as well as regional agendas. More than 50 participants representing heads of government agencies, development partners, academia, and contractors took part in an interactive roundtable discussion on the supply and provision of transport infrastructure on the African continent. Topics ranging from safety to the qualifications needed for th
High fatality rates around the world
March 13, 2014
In 2010, global road traffic injuries resulted in 1.3 million deaths and were the eighth leading cause of death, with 90% of fatal injuries taking place in low- and middle-income countries At the root of this crisis in the developing world are persisting managerial and technical capacity weaknesses. For many fast-motorising countries, fragmented legislation, poorly targeted funding, ineffective institutional leadership, and outdated road engineering practices could all translate into failure to meet road
Nepal plans road infrastructure expansion
March 12, 2014
Major road expansion is planned for Nepal, but will face huge challenges due to the country’s geography - Mike Woof reports, with local information from World Highways' Nepal correspondent, Ram Krishna Wagle The tiny, landlocked nation of Nepal lies sandwiched between two of the world’s largest countries, China and India and maintains good relations with both. Politically Nepal has strong links with China, while culturally its ties are close with India and these relationships work both ways. Despite bein
Emergent aggregates market vitality
March 12, 2014
New research shows the vital importance of emerging markets to the aggregate production industry, while leading aggregate production equipment manufacturers have brought new cutting-edge models onto the market. Meanwhile, recent equipment purchases are playing a key role in boosting the commercial success of customers in France and Malta. Guy Woodford reports Demand for construction aggregates in the Asia/Pacific and Africa/Middle East regions is fuelling global aggregates sales growth, according to the
Metso looks to develop its international profile following its recent demerger
March 12, 2014
Metso CEO and president Matti Kähkönen explained how the company is evolving - Mike Woof reports Finnish crushing and screening specialist Metso is looking to expand its worldwide operations following the recent demerger of the group. CEO and president Matti Kähkönen said that Metso has been a multi-industry business for the last 14 years. The firm’s biggest divisions have been the joint construction and mining division and the pulp and paper business, with its automation sector being the smallest of the
Massenza’s new vision for 2014
March 12, 2014
Massenza has started 2014 with a new approach to its range of bitumen emulsion plants, streamlining its four larger models into two, and adding a smaller plant. This has allowed Massenza to optimise the design and components for each size of plant, which in turn allows the company to offer its customers a more competitive deal. At the same time, Massenza has made three major technical improvements to the plants: a new type of material for the water tank which resists corrosion; a new dosing system for th
From rubber to nanotechnology, new additives give longer life
March 12, 2014
This month: rubber comes to the rescue for cash-strapped UK authorities and Italian towns plagued by road noise; Japanese nanotechnology fights monsoon damage in India; and a new research programme promises to help define whether ‘sustainable’ bitumen technologies really live up to their billing - Kristina Smith writes A new venture in the UK aims to encourage the use of recycled tyres in road pavements. Billian UK is now manufacturing GTR Pellets which combine bitumen, ground tyre rubber (GTR) and miner
Efficient new asphalt compactors from leading firms
March 12, 2014
New asphalt compactors from leading firms offer greater versatility and lower running costs - Mike Woof writes
Innovative concrete paving technology is coming to market
March 12, 2014
Two of the leaders in the concrete paving sector are broadening their range of technology, with new systems now coming to the international market The concrete paving market is a niche segment of the construction equipment business, with only a few specialist firms competing. North America is the home of concrete slipforming technology and it is no surprise that all but one of the leading firms in the sector are based in the US. The technology is used worldwide however and with asphalt prices at a high, c