Features

IRF Geneva is pleased to support this year the Bridges & Road Engineering and Maintenance UAE conference which will take place – for the third year running - in Abu Dhabi on 22nd-25th May 2016 The UAE has envisioned a new way of developing and carrying out infrastructure. They have shifted their focus on foresight to ensure a socially, economically and environmentally sustainable urban structure, which will enable them to achieve a successful urban revolution by 2030. To achieve this it is vital that

IRF Geneva is undertaking a study on behalf of the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC), to review the practices in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states with regards to road maintenance. Roads are an important public asset. Improving the road network can bring about immediate and large benefits by providing better access to hospitals, schools, and markets; improved comfort, speed, and safety; and lower vehicle operating costs.

Work is underway on an innovative new bridge link over the Ohio River in the US.

The replacement of a very busy road bridge in China’s capital Beijing has been carried out successfully. Due to the volume of traffic using the bridge during week days, the work had to be carried out quickly so as to minimise traffic disruption. But despite being carried out in the centre of Beijing, the replacement work for the Sanyuan Bridge just took 43 hours from start to completion.

New generation bulldozers are coming to market that are more powerful, more productive and more efficient. Both Komatsu and Liebherr are upgrading and expanding their model ranges at present for example. From Komatsu Europe comes the highly efficient D61EX/PX-24 dozer, which is said to be highly versatile and able to carry out a wide array of grading or earthmoving applications. Improved features include an upgraded cab and a new automatic idling engine shut down system. Proven features from the earlier

Highways need not be a blight on the countryside that many people, urban planners included, believe they will always be. By Bram Miller, director, and Martin Broderick, environmental consultant, at Ramboll Environ While the world’s highway networks bring undoubted economic and social benefits, they are generally perceived to lead to negative environmental impacts. Some may consider this an unfair reputation, but it is difficult to argue that in the majority of cases both the construction and operation of

ERF has launched a position paper to advocate better maintenance of Europe’s traffic signs. Vertical signage is an essential element not only of a modern and well-maintained road infrastructure, but also of a safe and functional road network. Road signs help regulate traffic, provide crucial visual guidance and give drivers important preview especially during night-time conditions. Well maintained and efficient signage becomes even more necessary when taking into account the ageing population of Europe, in

Road construction equipment manufacturers show bullish business sentiment at 2015 Excon - Partha Pratim Basistha writes. The eighth edition of Excon, South Asia’s largest construction equipment and technology fair, took place at Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre from 25-29th November 2015 at Karnataka in South India. The event featured over 850 exhibitors, including 275 from overseas. Buoyed by the Indian government’s ambitious plan to develop a 50,000km road network during next five years, road con

Nairobi is looking to tackle its congestion problems - Shem Oirere writes. Authorities in Kenya’s capital Nairobi have revived plans to convert some of the streets in the city into one way roads to deal with chronic traffic congestion that consumes fuel worth millions of shillings and wastes several manhours in traffic jams. Nairobi County governor Dr Evans Kidero said the plan, which is to take effect by the end of December 2015, will affect Moi Avenue, Koinange Street, Tom Mboya Street, River Road and Kir

A Sandvik Construction DQ500 dimensional stone drill rig has proved useful on a road project in Dagestan, Russia. Local contractor, Dagestan Vzryv Stroy, is using the drill rig to work on the reconstruction of the Avar-Kakheti road. The reconstruction of the Avar-Kakheti road began in early 2014. The local authorities were keen to rebuild a section of the 83km route where it runs through mountains in order to connect Russia with Georgia. The economically important project was given a national grade as i

The Russian road sector looks set for international investment - Eugene Gerden writes Amid the ongoing recovery of the Russian economy from the effect of Western sanctions, foreign investors are considering accelerating their activities in the Russian road building industry. In recent months the establishment of joint ventures with local road building companies has become no longer as profitable for foreign investors as it was in the past. As a result the majority of foreign investors are considering

London and Scotland are using VMS and digital cameras to successfully lower road deaths. Road safety measures such as variable message signs (VMS) and digital cameras have boosted road safety in the UK capital London and also in the Scottish Highlands. And the systems need not be a drain on electricity supplies. Full matrix driver information signs from SWARCO Traffic, one of the UK’s leading traffic management technology providers, are being installed for the first time across the Transport for London (TfL

Construction is now underway on the New Orbital Highway in Doha, Qatar. This project is called The New Orbital Highway contract 2 and is one of the largest projects being delivered through the Qatar’s public work authority Ashghal. The work consists of the design and construction of 47km of highway with a five-lane dual carriageway for light vehicles and two truck lanes in each direction. It also includes six viaducts, 17 bridges and underpasses and a 320m cut-and-cover tunnel. This last is particularly

Road tolling is increasing in East Africa as the region’s countries expand highway networks - Shem Oirere writes. The drive towards road tolling in East Africa is gaining momentum. Uganda appears to have broken ranks with its neighbours to make huge strides in achieving progress with this innovative road financing plan. Road tolling has hitherto has been held back in East Africa for lack of political goodwill and State bureaucracies. Kenyan government officials have made announcements on planned road tollin

One of the first Wirtgen W 200 Hi cold milling machines off the assembly line is now being used for road recyling work in southern Europe. The versatility of the machine due to its novel 400mm offset drum capability has proven extremely useful for the contractor in Italy. Tuscany–based Endi Asfalti is now using the large and highly productive W 200 Hi for a wide range of milling jobs that would previously have been carried out using a combination of large and small milling machines. The proven W 200 milling