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A new agreement between Finnish firm Neste Oil and RAE from the US is paving the way for the development of sustainable fuel. The two companies have agreed on an algae biomass solution for renewable diesel fuels. This would offer a strong potential as a fuel source as the algae can be produced easily and at comparatively low cost. This second generation biofuel source offers numerous benefits over earlier generation biofuels, which have been sourced from food crops and also linked to riding food prices as w

Data from the ACI-ITAT body in Italy reveals an improvement in the country’s road safety in 2013. The statistics show a 2.2% drop in vehicle crashes for 2013 compared with 2012. The data shows that there has been a 6.9% drop in fatalities and a 2% drop in injuries on Italian roads during 2013 compared with 2012. However ACI-ITAT warns that there is no room for complacency as there are still around 500 crashes/day in Italy.

The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) reveals that the road fatality rate for 2013 was the lowest since records began in 1926. The data shows that 1,713 people died on the UK’s road network in 2013, around half that of the figure recorded for the year 2000. This reveals an on-going improvement in road safety levels. The DfT statistics show that in 2013, 21,657 people were seriously injured in road crashes, while the total number of casualties of all severities stood at 183,670. Car occupant fatalities in

Demolition of the Bay Bridge in California is underway at present. A new cable stayed structure now carries traffic and the old steel cantilever bridge is being dismantled piece by piece. The work is being carried out in stages so as to maximise safety and also to meet the tough environmental legislation that forbids any waste material accidentally falling into the waterway. The dismantling process is taking three years in all to complete.

A new study highlights the potential for super capacitors. This latest study suggests that super capacitors could offer up to 2-4 times the power density of the best lithium-ion type batteries. The study also suggests that the global market for super capacitors could be worth as much as US$6.5 billion/year by 2024. So far super capacitors featuring 35Wh/kg output have been demonstrated but the potential for this technology is thought to be substantial with further research and development. Super capacitors

So far 18 companies have been registered as eligible for tenders in the Agua Negra Tunnel project, which will link Argentina with Chile. The tender process is commencing for the project in the second half of 2014. The new tunnel will provide a better alternative to existing routes connecting the two countries through the Andes Mountain range at present. One of the existing routes is through a high mountain pass, which is frequently blocked due to poor weather while being unsuitable for heavy vehicles. The o

So far 18 companies have been registered as eligible for tenders in the Agua Negra Tunnel project, which will link Argentina with Chile. The tender process is commencing for the project in the second half of 2014. The new tunnel will provide a better alternative to existing routes connecting the two countries through the Andes Mountain range at present. One of the existing routes is through a high mountain pass, which is frequently blocked due to poor weather while being unsuitable for heavy vehicles. The o

Two major highway projects are being planned in Yemen. A new 710km highway will link the southern port city of Aden with Saudi Arabia, while there are also plans for a new 85km highway in the country’s central region. The route connecting Aden with Saudi Arabia is expected to cost some US$3.5 billion to construct. Around $134 million is being provided for this project by the World Bank while the Saudi Development Fund will supply $320 million. Work is expected to commence in three months’ time although the

Chinese construction machinery has been affected by excess production but there is potential for market development opportunities in 2014. Data from the excavator industry shows that the first quarter of 2014 has seen recovery, compared with 2013 and 2012. According to China Construction Machinery Association (CCMA), excavator sales for February hit 9,410, 55.3% above last year’s level. The leading domestic brands included Liugong, Sany, Sunward and XGMA while the leading foreign brands included Caterpi

The novel rectangular tunnelling system developed by Shanghai Urban Construction Tunnel Engineering has been used successfully on part of the Henan Zhengzhou Weisi Road tunnel project. The equipment has been used to drive a rectangular section receiving shaft underneath Zhongzhou Road. When complete, the Zhengzhou Weisi Road tunnel will run underneath Zhongzhou Road, which is in Zhengdong New District. Zhongzhou Road forms the boundary of the central urban area. The use of this novel pipe jacking ma

A successful bridge demolition project has been carried out in Chicago Illinois. The work to remove the Ontario Street Bridge was carried out on behalf of the Illinois Department of Transportation. A fleet of Caterpillar excavators was used for the work. The machines featured demolition attachments, allowing the structure to be removed in a controlled fashion as the video reveals.

The UK’s Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has a Technology Strategy Board, which is commencing a funding competition for research and development projects in the field of off-highway vehicles. There will be a TSB Off Highway Vehicle Networking and Consortium Building Event at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon on Thursday 3rd July. This is a key event for companies considering bidding for funds through the TSB’s new competition covering the construction equipment sector. The event also provides the o

In Northern Germany plans are being set out for a new Autobahn bridge spanning the famous Kiel Canal. The A7 Autobahn crosses the Kiel Canal at Rendsburg but the existing concrete structure has been deemed unable to cope with the volumes of traffic it has to carry. The bridge has been subject to lane closures and the passage of heavy trucks has been restricted. The A7 Autobahn is an important route for Germany, running from the border with Denmark in the north all the way to the border with Austria in the s