Features

Cats eyes from Clearview set the tone at Switch Island in the UK
February 23, 2018
Cats eyes, which light up in response to changing traffic lights, will be used for the first time in the UK at a motorway junction. Highways England, the government agency, is installing around 170 of the LED road studs at Switch Island, one of England’s busiest motorway junctions – used by over 90,000 vehicles every day. Installation is expected to take around a year to complete.
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Germany’s B-85 gets the treatment from Bomag’s BM 2200/75 planer
February 23, 2018
By this spring, Bomag’s new BM 2200/75 cold planer will have removed all the old pavement from a 2.6km section of Germany’s federal highway B-85. Work on the section between Amberg and Pittersberg started at the end of 2016 after the Ministry of Transport classified the road as being in “urgent need” of upgrading as part of the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan. Actual roadworks began in mid-June 2017 after essential forestry work had been carried out, such as the removal of tree roots on both sides
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Helsinki Airport is benefiting from a new runway surface
February 23, 2018
Finland’s main international airport, serving the capital Helsinki, is now benefiting from a runway resurfacing project. The rehabilitation work has been needed for one of the airport’s three runways due to a number of age-related defects. Helsinki Airport processes some 17 million passengers/year and due to a combination of the often severe winter weather and the heavy aircraft traffic, the runway condition was not of the standard required. Resurfacing work was scheduled by FINAVIA, with a budget of some
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Urban paving in cold weather
February 23, 2018
UK Contractor Elm Surfacing recently carried out a milling and repaving job in Brixton in London. The job was carried out on Brixton Water Lane, with the firm using Wirtgen milling machines to remove the top layers of asphalt from the road surface. Repaving was then carried out using a Vögele asphalt paver, with a large twin drum roller then being used to compact the surface. Asphalt paving was carried out in two layers, replacing the binder course and wearing course, although the original base course was l
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Pollution-free highways of the future: a reality?
February 9, 2018
More collaboration is needed to reduce the impact of highways on the environment, particularly air quality. The technology already exists, argue Bram Miller* and Martin Broderick* The European Environment Agency produced a report showing that a slow improvement in air quality has been observed across Europe. However, 9% of urban Europeans were exposed to nitrogen dioxide emissions in excess of the EU’s annual maximum limit in 2015. Meanwhile, associations between highways and the environment tend to be n
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Earthmoving in advance – new technologies for shifting dirt
February 9, 2018
Earthmoving machine manufacturers are developing innovative new solutions for customers - Mike Woof reports. In the separate markets for excavators, wheeled loaders, graders and dozers, new models are being unveiled from several key firms. The excavator market is one of the most competitive and it is no surprise that some of the most innovative machines are being developed for this segment. Excavating One of the most significant excavator launches has been for the latest Hitachi hybrid model, which i
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Concrete paving market developments
February 9, 2018
Key developments are being seen in the concrete paving and slipforming market - Mike Woof writes. Key changes are taking place in the concrete paving and slipforming sector, with two of the well-known names in the market recently having changed hands. Both Miller Formless and Power Curbers/Power Pavers have recently been acquired from the families that set up these firms. In both instances the owners of the companies decided to retire and opted to sell these specialised businesses to suitable parties.
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New milling technology from leading players
February 9, 2018
Two major manufacturers, Caterpillar and Wirtgen, are introducing new milling machines. Both firms say that these new, high-production units will offer increased output compared with earlier generation equipment. From Caterpillar come the new PM820, PM822 and PM825 machines, which are half-lane milling machines able to handle full-depth removal of asphalt and concrete pavements in a single pass. The firm claims that these units are highly productive and highly manoeuvrable. In operation the machines weig
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Qatar quarry boosts output with SDLG wheeled loaders
February 8, 2018
A fleet of SDLG wheeled loaders is helping to optimise production at a quarry in Qatar. The three SDLG wheeled loaders are operating long hours and are being used to feed crushing and screening equipment at the site in Qatar. The three SDLG LG958L wheeled loaders have managed to clock 2,000 operating hours in four months at the quarry. The site is owned by Doha-based contracting company Al Maram International, which uses crushing and screening equipment to reduce and sort limestone, primarily for asphalt
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IRF Announces Winners of 2017 Global Road Achievement Awards
February 8, 2018
The International Road Federation has announced the winners of the 2017 IRF Global Road Achievement Awards at the closing of the IRF Middle East & North Africa Regional Congress & Exhibition. This year, the IRF honours 11 projects from around the world, each leading the way in innovation across major road and highway disciplines. The selection was made by an international panel of senior road development specialists.
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IRF India promotes road safety education in India to reduce casualties
February 6, 2018
Road safety education is an important ingredient in improving road safety, reducing accidents, and fatalities from these accidents. IRF India had been focusing on promoting road safety education in India. As part of its efforts, IRF India has focused on road safety education for both adults and children. For adults, IRF India has produced a series of eight films to promote safe behaviour. These films cover cover topics such as the need to use seat belts, drinking and driving, use of mobile phones while
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Ethiopia’s challenging cement market: consumption stimulation
January 26, 2018
Ethiopia’s cement industry has enjoyed substantial growth in the past decade. However, challenges linked to the government’s investment policy could erode these gains, as Shem Oirere reports With nearly 16.5 million tonnes of cement capacity and 10% average growth in annual consumption, Ethiopia is among the top cement producers in sub-Saharan Africa. Only Nigeria and South Africa rival it.
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Trimble’s technology advances for machine fleets
January 26, 2018
Trimble is gearing up to boost construction efficiency with a new level of machine technology – Mike Woof writes The introduction of the latest version of Trimble’s VisionLink package will help allow contractors to reduce operating costs while boosting working efficiency, according to the firm. Trimble’s VisionLink system was developed in partnership with Caterpillar and includes tools for production monitoring. This now offers customers greater capabilities, due in many respects to its increased versat
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Trimble’s technology advances for machine fleets
January 26, 2018
Trimble is gearing up to boost construction efficiency with a new level of machine technology – Mike Woof writes The introduction of the latest version of Trimble’s VisionLink package will help allow contractors to reduce operating costs while boosting working efficiency, according to the firm. Trimble’s VisionLink system was developed in partnership with Caterpillar and includes tools for production monitoring. This now offers customers greater capabilities, due in many respects to its increased versat
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LiuGong invests hard to be seen as made, tested and supported in Europe
January 26, 2018
LiuGong is investing hard in Europe, determined to be seen as a global player whose products are “made in Europe, tested in Europe and supported in Europe.” Along with new European headquarters based in Warsaw, LiuGong is also opening up a new European production line and a new continent-wide parts distribution centre at its Dressta manufacturing centre in Stalowa Wola. Geoff Hadwick reports
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