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BICES 2013 preparatory meeting hears plans for ‘record’ show
August 8, 2013
The BICES 2013 exhibitor preparatory meeting and press conference has been held in Beijing, China ahead of the key show in the Chinese capital on October 15-18 2013. During the pre-event for what will be the 12th Beijing International Construction Machinery Exhibition & Seminar, Su Zimeng, vice president and secretary general of the China Construction Machinery Association (CCMA) and general manager of BAICE, analysed the Chinese engineering machinery industry and explained the significance of BICES 2013.
Balfour Beatty demolishes M8 bridge to create junction
August 8, 2013
A huge array of construction machinery from leading international equipment manufacturers was deployed by Balfour Beatty recently to demolish a farm access bridge over the M8 motorway between junctions 4 and 5 to enable the completion of slip roads for the new Heartlands junction in West Lothian, Scotland. The Cowhill Bridge demolition was a major milestone for Ecosse Regeneration in the construction of Junction 4a. Ten excavators equipped with hydraulic breakers and munching attachments were used to remove
One in 20 adults involved in UK road accident in 2012, IAM claims
August 8, 2013
One in 20 adults was involved in a road accident in the UK in 2012, according to road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Referring to information from the National Travel Survey (NTS) published by the Department for Transport (DfT), the IAM says the survey shows that 5.2% of the population admit to having been involved in an accident. The IAM says the DfT figures also reveal that men (5.6%) are more likely to be involved in an accident than women (4.8%). Overall, the IAM adds, the fi
Spanish firms pre-qualify for US$1.15bn worth of Colombian road projects
August 7, 2013
Several Spanish firms with operations in Colombia have gained pre-qualification for two tenders to build and maintain two roads in the country requiring an estimated combined investment of US$1.15 billion. OHL Concesiones Chile and OHL Concesiones Colombia (part of the Spanish OHL group), Sacyr Concesiones Colombia (part of Spanish group Sacyr) and Ortiz Construcciones y Proyectos Colombia, and Acciona Concesiones Chile (part of the Spanish group Acciona), are pre-qualified for the Pacific 2 Connection. The
Telematics technology to monitor driving behaviour of NZ bus drivers
August 7, 2013
GO Wellington, a New Zealand-based bus service provider, has installed telematics technology in buses to allow the firm to monitor the driving habits of its drivers. The telematics technology will monitor speeding, harsh braking and acceleration, excessive idling and over-revving of buses and remind drivers if they are about to exceed safety thresholds. It is expected that the technology will promote safer driving, reduce emissions as well as wear and tear of buses.
Yotta DCL wins prized M40 UK surveying contract
August 7, 2013
Highway’s technology and surveying company Yotta DCL has won a contract to provide surveys for Carillion on the M40 between southern England and the West Midlands worth €433,641 (£375,000). Yotta DCL were awarded the five-year contract after being shortlisted through an e-auction, which sees vetted survey providers bid against each other for the survey work. Carillion holds the Operation and Maintenance agreement with UK Highways, which is the M40 DBFO (design, build, finance and operate) company. Yotta DC
Danish motorists among most environmentally-friendly in EU
August 7, 2013
Danish motorists are among the most environment-friendly within the EU, according to a new research by the Association of Danish Car Dealers, DAF. In 2012, a new car in Denmark emitted on average 117grams of CO2 per km. This is said to be a decline from 122grams in 2011. DAF's analysis is based on statistics provided by the Danish Statistical Office and the European Environmental Agency.
TRL Signals Tour 2013 stretching across the UK
August 7, 2013
Following on the successful launch last year of TRL Traffic Signals Tour across the UK, TRL Software has announced its Second TRL Traffic Signals Tour 2013. From the 1-16 October 2013, TRL Software will be holding six events in key locations across Britain. The tour will be calling at London, Cardiff, Leicester, Leeds and Glasgow as well as at its Crowthorne headquarters in Berkshire. Feedback from last year’s events was highly positive, providing access to some of TRL’s latest research, the latest product
Gateway WA Alliance agree costs for Perth Airport road project
August 7, 2013
Gateway WA Alliance consortium, led by Leighton Contractors, has reached agreement with Main Roads WA on the price, scope and construction methodology for the US$896.07 million (AUD1 billion) Gateway WA Perth Airport and Freight Access Project. The Contract Cost Target agreed with Main Roads WA is valued at $805.56 million (AUD899 million) of which Leighton Contractors has a 68% share. The Gateway WA Alliance includes Leighton Contractors and partners Georgiou, GHD, AECOM, and BG&E. It was awarded the Perth
TRA 2014 attracts healthy abstracts and invited session numbers
August 6, 2013
The call for abstracts and invited sessions for the 5th Transport Research Arena TRA 2014 event has proved “very successful”, according to organisers. A total of 1,100 abstracts and 110 invited sessions were submitted ahead of the event being held on April 14-17 in Paris La Défense. The deadline to submit accepted full papers is September 30, 2013 (for notified authors only). A new call is now open for "Outreach Marketplaces" (posters only), and the submission deadline is October 31, 2013. Innovative compan
Avtodor tender for new section of Moscow-St. Petersburg road
August 6, 2013
Russian state company Avtodor is to announce a tender for a new €3.42 billion (RUB 149.1 billion) section of Moscow-St. Petersburg toll highway. The new section will be between the road's 334th and 543rd kilometres, which passes through the Tver (Central) and the Novgorod (North-West) regions. Avtodor will hold a Dutch auction. Private investments will account for about €229.07 million (RUB 10bn) of the project's financing (own and borrowed funds in equal measures), and the remaining funds will come from th
Amey wins four top health and safety awards
August 6, 2013
Leading public services and highways and other infrastructure management firm Amey has achieved four top health and safety awards for all aspects of the business. Following the acquisition of Enterprise earlier this year, the newly combined, larger business, has achieved four awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) - one of Britain’s most respected health and safety charities. Amey was recognised for its outstanding operational health and safety performance across the company’
France: Drowsiness, fatigue leading cause of deaths on motorways
August 6, 2013
Drowsiness and fatigue were the cause of 33% of deaths on motorways in 2012, according to an Asfa (Association of French Motorway Companies) study. Alcohol, drugs and medications were in second place (21%), in front of excessive speed (13%). The study also revealed that lack of sleep, driving at night, taking certain medications and suffering from sleep apnoea or snoring increase the risk of deadly accidents on motorways. Some professionals say that monotony on roads and reduced speeds are also factors tha
Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) anger over East West Link
August 6, 2013
The Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) fear the design of the proposed multi-billion dollar East West Link highway in Melbourne will have a “substantial visual, environmental and amenity” impact on peoples quality of and the open spaces they enjoy. Kirsten Bauer, president of the AILA Victorian Chapter, has attacked the plans for the 18km tolled motorway, set to run from the western suburbs to the Eastern Freeway, after she and other Victorian AILA members had reviewed the “so called detai
Hill & Smith Holdings revenues stable in H1 2013
August 6, 2013
Hill & Smith Holdings revenues remained stable in the first half of 2013, compared to the same period of 2012. The international group with leading global positions in the manufacture and supply of infrastructure products and galvanising services, posted unaudited revenues of €255.77 million (£221.6 million) in H1 2013, down 1% on the €258.31 million (£223.8 million) recorded in H1 2012. Although further unaudited results showed an 11% fall in underlying operating profit to €23.31 million in the first half