Features

Increased performance and more durable construction are key features of new generation excavators – Mike Woof writes. All the major equipment manufacturers are introducing new hydraulic excavators to meet market demand. These machines are offering increased output at the same time as producing lower emission levels and burning less fuel than before. From Caterpillar for instance comes its new 330F, which features a maximum operating weight of 29.75tonnes and is powered by a 178kW Cat C7.1 ACERT diesel that

Concrete mixing plants are becoming more flexible and innovative to ensure they meet increasingly stringent construction schedules. Increasing demands are put on contractors to cut down the transportation of material to construction sites in the name of efficiency and the environment. For that reason concrete mixing plants are increasingly flexible in their transportation to sites, their set up times and their output. Ammann Elba, the company created when German-based Elba was acquired by Ammann in 20

The American Concrete Paving Association presents awards for excellence – Mike Woof writes.

Several major manufacturers are introducing new technology for the soil compaction market - Mike Woof writes With the bauma 2016 exhibition drawing near, several major manufacturers are looking to expand their respective ranges of soil compactors, as well as to introduce innovative new technologies to the sector. Ammann is offering new models in the shape of its ARS 200 and ARS 220, both of which are Tier 4 Final/Stage IV compliant. These 20tonne and 22tonne class machines feature newly designed cab

Major manufacturers are revealing improved ranges of asphalt compactors to meet high performance requirements – Mike Woof writes The latest generation of asphalt compactors are offering increased performance and capacity over earlier generation models, while using less fuel and having longer maintenance intervals. Developed by Ammann, the new ARX 90 and ARX 110 tandem rollers are available in both Tier 4Final/Stage IV variants for use in Europe and North America, as well as Tier 3 versions for use in l

New innovations are underway that will help optimise rock crushing and screening operations and boost quarry efficiency overall - Mike Woof writes. Quarrying is a tough industry that provides enormous challenges to equipment providers as machines and technology have to be rugged, durable and productive. Cutting the cost of production while optimising output has been a major target for suppliers, with new technologies playing an increasingly important role. Taking the long view with regard to increased qu

Arizona Chemical’s bio-additive allows 100% recycled asphalt for entire road structure The city of Rotterdam has used an asphalt mix with 100% RAP in all three of its layers, a first for the Netherlands. The road in question is a bike lane, so it won’t be expecting too much of a pounding, but it’s an important step forward for the city’s politicians, asphalt supplier KWS and additive specialist Arizona Chemical. Arizona Chemical designed its SYLVAROAD RP1000 performance additive with the express aim o

India to lead the pack in bitumen consumption - Partha Pratim Basistha reports from the Asian Bitumen Conference. In the emerging global bitumen market, demand is expected to reach 122 million tonnes by 2018. Increasing road construction activities in the fast growing markets of India and China will be the main growth drivers of the bitumen market in Asia. This was the message delivered at the 10th Asian Bitumen Conference held in New Delhi, India from 23rd-24th November 2015. The two-day event, organised b

IRF Geneva is renewing the long-standing collaboration with the University of Birmingham for the promotion of the senior road executives (SRE) Programme which has been delivering certified professional training for 20 years This programme has provided continuing professional development for those working in the road sector for over 20 years, and by so doing, contributed to the dissemination of knowledge and expertise throughout the world. Using an inter-disciplinary approach, the programme is designe

As part of the 27th road safety week, IRF organised a two-day seminar in New Delhi (January 14th -15th) to raise political awareness about, and support for, initiatives to improve road safety The seminar with the theme “Road Safety – Time for Action” was chaired by Sanjay Mitra, Secretary Road Transport and Highways (RTH), of the Government of India. K K Kapila, chairman IRF – GPC, highlighted recent IRF initiatives (black spot removal, training of drivers to provide first aid to accident victims at acci

Transportation decision-makers will soon benefit from a new comparative study on the cost-effectiveness of road programme delivery. This will be thanks to the launch of a global benchmarking initiative by the International Road Federation using a methodology developed by McKinsey & Co. Globally, US$1.4 trillion is invested every year on transportation assets — including $700 billion for roads - as the world’s economies develop and respond to emerging mobility patterns. Delivering these road programmes

While many road authorities in North America are finding it difficult to stretch their bridge assets beyond half a century, one bridge is closing in on its centenary - David Arminas reports The international Peace Bridge, connecting the Canadian province of Ontario with the US state of New York, is 88 years young this year, and still going strong.

Volvo Construction Equipment saw market share and underlying earnings improve in the final quarter of 2015. The company said that improved underlying earnings and more market share of the important larger machine segments were insufficient to offset a declining total market in Volvo Construction Equipment’s final quarter 2015 results. Sales were down 11% in the period. For full year 2015, sales at the company dipped by 3%. In the fourth quarter of 2015 Volvo CE reported that net sales decreased by