Features

A new bridge project joining China and Russia is a sign of international accord between the two nations – Mike Woof writes A new bridge spanning what China calls the Heilongjiang River and which is known as the Amur River in Russia, is a clear sign of an important international accord between the two countries. Discussions over the bridge project were first started between China and Russia in the 1980s, with both nations seeing many changes in leadership since that time. But while the political discussion

New technology will help deliver projects more efficiently – Mike Woof writes. An array of new software and hardware tools are coming to market that can boost working efficiency for construction projects. Technology company thinkWhere is helping to improve collaboration and communication on Scotland’s largest road infrastructure project. Providing online access to multiple layers of live project maps and geographical data, the firm’s groundMapper software offers a web-based viewer that is allowing the co

Manufacturers of crushers and screens are making their equipment more efficient as well as quieter. Among new entrants into the jaw crusher market is the MC 120 Pro, from Writgen company Kleemann. It was launched last September at the industry trade fair in Homberg/Nieder-Ofleiden, Germany. Both the diesel-electric jaw crusher – operating as part of an interlinked machine combination additionally comprising the MCO 11 PRO cone crusher and MS 953 EVO screening plant – and the MBRG 2000 granulator showed off

The European Union Road Federation (ERF) is calling for papers for its sign and markings session at a major conference in Dubrovnik, Croatia in October. Contributions are invited for the Traffic Signs and Pavement Markings session, which is co-sponsored by the US-based Transportation Research Board, at the European Road Conference from 22-24 October, 2018. The topic is important because the downward trend in global traffic injuries has been on pause since 2013. “This is particularly notable in develop

A major job for micro surfacing took place on the Brooklyn Bridge near New York. It was the third time in Ken Messina’s career that he would provide micro surfacing for the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, built in 1883. Messina, as president of New Jersey-based Asphalt Paving Systems (APS), knew only too well the challenges that lay ahead. And there were many. There would be only a brief window of opportunity for paving, with lane closures starting at 10pm and ending at 5am. The cool, humid atmosphere would a

An Ammann asphalt plant has been used to supply material for a landmark project in China. The Ammann ABP 320 Universal Asphalt-Mixing Plant played an important role in carrying out preparation work for the high-profile BRICS Summit held recently in China

Soil and asphalt compaction machines from Ammann are working on two key infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. The units are being used by local contractor Spectra Engineers, which is based in Dhaka. The firm has a strong reputation in Bangladesh for quality and is relying on Ammann soil and asphalt compactors for a number of projects. Spectra is one of the leading construction companies in Bangladesh, with considerable expertise and experience building roads and bridges for example. Spectra is working on

IRF Geneva’s long-standing partnership and collaboration with China Highways and Transportation Society (CHTS) and with the Government of China will be at centre stage again this year. This will be seen at the World Transport Convention 2018 to be hosted in Beijing from 18th to 21st June. The 2017 edition of the World Transport Convention (WTC) was hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and organised by the China Highway & Transportation Society (CHTS). It also had the support o

All three of Caterpillar’s newest production class tandem vibratory rollers models can be equipped with an oscillatory vibration system. The new models - CB13, CB15, and CB16, designated according to operating weigh – also offer refinements to the operator controls, water spray system, service access and lighting packages.

The Borum Master 2500 is the latest member of Borum’s range of self-propelled line-marking machines designed for flexible working. The BM 2500 has a one-seat drive-and-operator section that is slideable for flexible working on the left or right side. From city areas to urban and interurban roads, the Borum Master 2500 can handle both smaller jobs and longer road stretches. It allows for thermoplastic capacities up to 350 litres, 2-component cold plastic or cold paint capacities of 440 litres and for t

The provisional programme is now available for this year’s Euroasphalt and Eurobitume Event in Berlin. June 14-15. The focus of E&E 2018 will be on the preparations needed by the asphalt industry to ensure that it is fit for purpose in the future. Important strategic issues will be explored, some of which were highlighted in the E&E Congress 2016. These include the increasingly stringent economic aspects of supply and demand, the growing environmental issues over highway construction and use, health

Good, readable analysis of road surfaces to ensure sufficient maintenance funding is an essential part of asset management. The technical side of ensuring a good road surface is integral to maintaining safe, superior highway infrastructure. But securing sufficient government funding for such work – repairs and new-build – based on the current road surface is also essential. To evaluate road conditions and structure for such a business case, one UK local council turned to software provider Yotta.

With safety the priority in road paving, Aggregate Industries says it has launched an automated data gathering system to replace hazardous inspections by crew members. AI says that the new system, known as Automated Inspection and Testing, will see all pavers, rollers and survey vehicles fitted with the latest technology including GPS, infra-red sensors and a data recording unit. All will automatically log high-quality data before, during and after the surfacing process.

Compaction specialist Hamm is launching its hybrid-powered HD+ 90i PH tandem roller this spring after extensive customer on-site trials last year. Hamm says that it is the first roller manufacturer to develop such a production-ready machine. He company has combined a conventional internal combustion engine with a hydraulic accumulator. The diesel engine covers the base load while the hydraulic accumulator meets peak loads.

A first-class paving job should have first class protection with Astrak’s premium rubber pads for steel-tracked equipment. The DuraLine Plus pads are made of abrasion resistant Malaysian rubber suitable for a wide range of machines, said Martyn Pointer, Astrak’s group sales director. Independent test results show that the pads offer more than 25% more durability compared to standard quality rubber pads.