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Features

Defective eyesight, a road safety concern?
February 16, 2012
Failing eyesight presents safety problems for Europe's older drivers. A new report highlights substantial variation in the assessment of drivers' vision across Europe, and recommends that Member States make moves to better assess drivers' vision. Checking the vision of drivers plays a valuable role in the EU's target of halving road deaths across the EU by 2020. The aim is to achieve this road safety improvement by legislative means that change driver behaviour, raise the technical standards of vehicles and
Beijing construction exhibition will break records
February 16, 2012
BICES organisers say a growth in the number of exhibitors, space and scope of the 2011 event assure it of success As the new US$33 billion Beijing-Shanghai 300km/hour bullet train swings into action the organisers of BICES 2011 are also claiming a world-class success. They say that the 11th Beijing International Construction Machinery Exhibition & Seminar 2011 has achieved what it planned with a 25% growth from the previous event (2009) in the number of exhibitors and floor space.
Asphalt plant technology meets market needs
February 16, 2012
Plants for mixing asphalt are becoming more sophisticated than ever, while users are looking for ecological and technological benefits. Patrick Smith reports. When the Adige Bitumi Group decided to renew its old M 260 plant it chose to collaborate with Marini for the design and development of a plant with production of 280-300tonnes/hour.
Progress delayed on Kenya's vital highway link
February 16, 2012
Kenya is investing in road developments , reports Shem Oirere. A multi-million dollar highway expansion project in Kenya's capital Nairobi may now be delayed for close to a year because of a huge underground network of water, electricity and communication pipes and cables that has slowed down construction works.
Joining forces on safety'
February 15, 2012
The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) welcomed the launch of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety, saying it will enable the European Union to join forces in tackling road safety at a global level. The UN move aims to reduce by 50% the projected increase in road deaths by 2020, and was developed with the support of the World Health Organisation (WHO), which predicts that road traffic injuries will rise to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2030 in the world. It demanded action to correct t
Beijing's record-breaking BICES 2011
February 15, 2012
BICES 2011 equipment exhibition attracted unprecedented levels of visitors, according to the organisers. With China's construction market booming and the world's largest infrastructure investment programme in full swing, the country is seeing a huge growth in demand for new machines. Manufacturers from inside the country as well as international firms are keen to boost sales in the country and develop market shares. As a result, promotion is a key issue and all manufacturers, Chinese and international, are
Simple road safety measures save lives
February 15, 2012
Elementary road safety measures quickly pay back the costs of investment and, more importantly, help save lives as Patrick Smith reports. More than 300 people in the UK are alive today or have avoided the prospect of a lifetime of special care because just 15 roads have had simple improvements put in place.
China looks to the future with major highway plans
February 15, 2012
China is still moving ahead with plans that will give it the world's biggest highway system. Patrick Smith reports. As China's economy grows even more, keeping the country on the move has become a priority for the government. While the country has made great strides over the past decade in improving its infrastructure, the number of vehicles has also increased rapidly, and in some instances restrictions have been placed on them.
Fast drying road marking for all surfaces
February 15, 2012
Ennis Prismo continues to expand its range of road marking products with the addition of two new solutions. One is used to form temporary markings and the other to provide more permanent lines. The two products are known as Easymark Temporary and Easymark Permanent respectively. These fast drying aerosols can be used in car parks and on roads and are non harmful to the environment and aquatic life. Both Easymark products can be used on a range of surfaces including asphalt, concrete, metal and timber. Compe
New grit effective at de-icing
February 15, 2012
German firm Bisotherm is now offering a new product designed to prevent slipping in icy or snow conditions. Called RUTSCHEX PLUS, the product is claimed to be ecologically sustainable as well as highly effective.
Latin America invests in infrastructure growth
February 15, 2012
Travelling in one of the world's most diverse regions is not always easy, but spectacular engineering feats will make life easier as Patrick Smith reports. Five years ago a report from the World Bank noted that infrastructure in most of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) had improved over the previous ten years.
Lightweight drain covers reduce risk of theft
February 15, 2012
With scrap metal prices soaring, some European countries are suffering from a spate of drain cover thefts.
Construction equipment launched at Bauma China
February 15, 2012
The 2010 bauma China event did, as expected, break all previous records, with companies launching more new equipment than ever. Patrick Smith reports. The queues at the entrances on the first day of bauma China 2010 indicated what the rest of the week had in store. As thousands of visitors poured through the gates each day to view the latest in construction equipment at the expanded Shanghai New International Expo Centre, the organisers knew they were looking at another successful event.
Online emissions calculation
February 15, 2012
Logistics specialist Damco is now offering customers an online calculation of carbon dioxide emissions. This tool can be used to determine a firm's carbon footprint,
Advanced vehicle monitoring technology
February 15, 2012
PIPS Technology has commissioned two Journey Time Measurement Systems (JTMS) in Gravesend and Tunbridge Wells for Kent Highway Services (KHS) in the UK. The JTMS locations consist of 34 Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras and JTMS software all provided by PIPS Technology.