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Video highlights junction risk
December 18, 2013
A new video clip produced by the authorities in the UK highlights the risks of misjudging vehicle distances and speeds when entering a busy highway from a slip road. Fortunately no-one was seriously hurt and an alert truck driver’s timely response averted a major incident.
NMIS extends ground protection portfolio with acquisition of Terrafirma Roadways
December 18, 2013
Newpark Mats and Integrated Services (NMIS), a unit of Houston, U.S.-based Newpark Resources and among the leading providers of ground protection solutions worldwide, has announced the acquisition of Terrafirma Roadways (TFR). TFR was founded in 2001 to provide temporary roadway and worksite solutions to utility, construction, and event customers throughout the UK. Since 2006, the company has been a strategic partner with Newpark and the exclusive UK distributor of Newpark’s DURA-BASE Advanced-Composite Ma
Liebherr posts healthy results for 2013
December 18, 2013
The Liebherr Group says that its results for 2013 equal that of the previous year, despite a weak economic climate. The company expects turnover to hit €9.086 billion, while its workforce has grown to 39,670. Despite the conditions, Liebherr has invested more than €800 million in its operations, taking a view that market conditions will improve in the long term and that developing the company further will lead to future gains. The overall economic situation did not improve in 2013 however and according to
In-car automated emergency calls move a step closer
December 17, 2013
EU plans for all new cars to be fitted with automated emergency call devices (eCall) moved a step closer today following a vote by the European Parliament's transport committee. The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC), representing safety campaigners and experts across the EU, welcomed the latest development. Antonio Avenoso, executive director of ETSC said, "After a serious car crash, every second counts. This system has the potential to save many lives because it will enable the emergency services
Hong Kong tops updated version of world cities’ mobility index
December 17, 2013
Honk Kong has topped an updated Arthur D. Little Urban Mobility Index assessing world cities’ mobility maturity and performance. The 84-city Index, contained in a new version of the ‘Future of Urban Mobility’ study produced by Arthur D. Little management consultants and the International Association of Public Transport (UITP), ranks Stockholm and Amsterdam second and third respectively, with Copenhagen and Vienna rounding off the top five. The Index reveals that most cities are still badly equipped to cop
TISPOL video highlights Finnish crackdown on drink drivers
December 17, 2013
Traffic police in Finland have been carrying out breath tests across the country in a bid to reduce the around “58 cases a day” of drink-driving detected on the nation’s highways. A recent breath test day operation was held in Mikkeli, southern Finland and filmed by TISPOL (the European Traffic Police Network). Speaking to the TISPOL film crew during the test day, Finland Traffic Police Chief Inspector Jarmo Puustinen said, “We are doing this because we have an average of 21,000 cases monthly where people
US$2.6bn a year cost of Manila, Philippines traffic congestion, claim Red Advocates
December 16, 2013
The Philippines is said by campaign group Red Advocates to lose US$2.36 billion (PHP 104 billion) each year due to road traffic congestion in the metro area of its capital, Manila. The nation’s government part says it plans to develop more transport infrastructure to resolve the costly congestion issue. Meanwhile, Red Advocates is urging motorists to drive responsibly on Philippines roads.
Multi-billion dollar Vietnam transport projects to be supported by ODA of Japan
December 16, 2013
A total of 29 transport projects costing a combined US$7.42 billion, including the Phan Thiet-Nha Trang road, will be carried out in Vietnam from 2013 until 2016, according to the country’s Ministry of Transport. Of the 29 projects, 18 projects worth $2.34 billion collectively were due to be commissioned by the end of 2013. The ministry has said that the projects are supported by the government of Japan through $6 billion of ODA funds, including around $774.59 million for 2013. The Quang Ngai-Danang and D
Key SR-91 highway upgrade underway in California
December 16, 2013
In the US state of California, construction is now underway for the State Route 91 (SR-91) Corridor Improvement Project. This improved section for SR-91 will run through the Corona and Riverside, both of which are located in Riverside County. The project will extend the SR-91 Tolled Express Lanes in Orange County into Riverside County, a distance of 17.6km. This includes a 13km stretch into Riverside County on SR-91, with a 5km flyover connecting to Interstate 15 from SR-91. Riverside County Transportation
STRABAG working on Slovakian highway
December 16, 2013
A consortium is now working on the construction of one stretch of Slovakia’s D1 highway. The section lies between Hričovské Podhradie and Lietavská Lúčka and the project is worth €427 million. The consortium comprises four companies; with Doprastav, Váhostav and STRABAG all holding equal 32% stakes of the contract and Metrostav having a minority 4% share. The work being carried out by Doprastav, Váhostav and STRABAG is equivalent to some €140 million each. The construction work is expected to take 48 months
Successful explosive demolition of old bridge in US state of Missouri
December 16, 2013
A successful explosive demolition has been carried out of the Hurricane Deck Bridge in the US state of Missouri. The Hurricane Deck Bridge carried Missouri Route 5 over Lake of the Ozarks and measured 695m long. The structure was no longer able to cope with the traffic volumes it was carrying and the Missouri Department of Transport (MODOT) opted to build a new delta frame bridge to replace it. Work started on the new bridge in 2012 and this was opened to traffic in September 2013. The steel span Hurricane
Guatemala seeks US$920mn of international loans for fast motorways
December 16, 2013
Guatemala’s Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing is seeking international loans of US$920 million to transform three national road sections into fast motorways. The loans could be obtained at some stage in 2014. One negotiated with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), of $280 million for the widening of CA-2 Oriente motorway to a four-lane motorway, is reportedly at its final stage. The bank has given its approval already and it is only the Monetary Council that has
Indonesia’s new toll road projects through public private partnerships
December 16, 2013
Public private partnerships (PPP) are being set up by the Indonesian Government to construct three toll road projects valued at US$783.3 million (IDR 9.40tn). Tender for the projects will be launched in 2014, with construction due to begin the following year. A 39km Manado-Bitung road in North Sulawesi; a 37.6km road in Malang-Pandaan in East Java; and 15.8km Medan-Binjai road in North Sumatra comprise the three toll road projects. The three projects are due for completion by the end of 2017. Also in Indon
Hyundai E&C develop real-time driver road, weather and traffic info system
December 16, 2013
Hyundai Engineering and Construction (Hyundai E&C) has developed an information system that offers motorists real-time information on weather, roads and traffic congestion. Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Motor also collaborated in the development of the system, for which five individual patents are said to have been secured by Hyundai Group. With the system, data can be sent through the WAVE telecom technology via message signs on roads or directly to cars, while information from weather reports, vehicle sensor
Research needed to study India’s road safety
December 16, 2013
Calls are being made for comprehensive studies into India’s road safety issues. The country has a spiralling rate of deaths and injuries on its road network with a continuing increase in the number of registered vehicles and total distances travelled. Randall Clark, vice-president of Norms and Regulations at tyre manufacturer Michelin, the Indian Government needs to carry out extensive studies in the causes of road accidents in the country. In India, the total figure for vehicle kilometres/year driven is in