Highway & Network Management

UK: vehicle overloading convictions down but problem persists

March 9, 2015

Overloading of vehicles in the United Kingdom continues to be a serious issue, according to data from the government’s Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). The report, Annual Effectiveness 2013/2014, documents data on driving offences for heavy and light goods vehicles, public service vehicles and trailers. The number of convictions for overloading heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) was 147, down from 231 in 2012/13 and 166 a year earlier. But overloading rema

Solari gives Doha airport baggage truck drivers the VMS signal

March 6, 2015

VMS innovations offer transportation efficiency gains – David Arminas writes. Baggage truck drivers at the new Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, are now getting real-time imformation and directions on variable message signage. The airport opened last April and will be the first touchdown point for fans attending the football World Cup in Qatar in 2022. The airport is only 4km away from the overused but now redundant Doha International Airport, which will be demolished and redeveloped as an urban p

Global road freight on the rise, ITF reports

February 20, 2015

Road freight’s share in global trade will increase from 6% to 10% by 2050, driven by increasing intra-regional trade, according to the latest report by the International Transport Forum. This growth is especially likely in Asia and Africa where efficient rail networks are and could remain underdeveloped, noted the report ITF Transport Outlook 2015. Hit hard by the global crisis in 2009, road freight volume grew 3% annually from 2010-12 in member countries of the OECD – the Organisation for Economic Co-opera

Brine spraying can boost winter road safety and cut materials costs

February 16, 2015

A study on the use of a brine sprayer on the A8 Autobahn in Germany has yielded valuable data - *Jo Rommeswinkel writes. Since 2007, Autobahnplus Services (a+S) has been providing the operation and maintenance services on the 52km concession Autobahn A8 between Munich and Augsburg in Bavaria, a region renowned for its severe winter maintenance conditions. The Munich Augsburg section comprises 48km of six-lane dual carriageway and 4km of four-lane dual carriageway. Part of the road surface consists of low-no

Innovative road/drainage tunnel plan for Jakarta

February 16, 2015

An innovative combined road and drainage tunnel is being proposed for Indonesia’s capital Jakarta. A study is underway at the moment for this novel integrated tunnel project, which is expected to cost in the region of US$1.88 billion. Work is due to commence during 2015, with the initial phase of the construction being carried out by Antaredja Mulia Jaya. The project is calling for two 12km tunnels that will help alleviate flooding in the city during periods of high rainfall as well as featuring a road. The

UK average speed camera installation proving successful

January 27, 2015

Data from the A9 route in Scotland shows that the installation of average speed camera technology is helping cut crashes. This is Europe’s longest single enforcement scheme, with the technology having been installed along a 220km stretch of the A9 in Scotland. Figures from the route show that the average speed enforcement scheme, which uses SPECS technology supplied by Vysionics, is helping cut casualties while improving journey reliability and driver behaviour.

The US National Operations Centre of Excellence launches website

January 21, 2015

In the United States, the National Operations Centre of Excellence has officially launched a web site to provide the transportation sector with the latest knowledge and management tools. Practitioners, researchers and policymakers will find on the site the latest resources and have the opportunity to discuss topics related to systems management and operations. The centre launched its website at the Transportation Research Board annual meeting in Washington, D.C. in mid January. Click here to view the site

Norway transport ministry demands restrictive roundabout policy

January 21, 2015

Norway’s Ministry of Transport and Communications wants to curb the construction of new roundabouts in the Scandinavian country. The ministry reportedly wrote to the Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) in mid December, asking that new main roads have no roundabouts. Also, the ministry wants new roads to be located if possible built outside of large settlements to avoid the need for traffic calming measures, such as speed bumps. But the Public Roads Administration has pushed back, replying t

New spark recharging Europe’s electric vehicle drive

January 20, 2015

The EU plans to support studies on the development of electric vehicle (EV) traffic in Northern Europe. The EU's TEN-T Programme is providing €1 million for a study as well as a pilot on the deployment of EVs and the necessary charging infrastructure along major highways in southern Sweden, Denmark and northern Germany. The project will help boost long distance travel using EVs across borders. One of the major limiting factors to the wider use of EVs on European roads is lack of suitable charging stations.

Hungary may introduce Budapest congestion charge

January 16, 2015

Hungary is considering introducing a congestion charge scheme to capital Budapest at the end of 2016. The aim of the scheme is to cut congestion in the city, with traffic jams and delays frequent particularly in the historic centre. The scheme will also help generate revenue that will pay back EU funding worth some €565.2 million, which was used to pay for the construction of the M4 underground line in the city.