News

A US firm has developed an innovative two wheeled vehicle that uses gyroscopes for balance. Because of the twin gyroscopes fitted, the single seater vehicle can stand upright on its two motorcycle tyres without toppling. Narrow and economical, the vehicle is claimed to provide a solution for persona; transport in congested cities. The enclosed cab provides protection from the elements to the driver, while it is little wider than a motorcycle and takes up far less space on the road than a car. Its low weight

Slovakian highway company NDS says that construction of the 13km Turany-Hubova highway may not be started in 2012. The previous Transport Ministry plan was to call the tender for this stretch in summer 2012. However, the EC has not yet approved the construction of this highway, with questions surrounding the protected area in the Velka and Mala Fatra mountains. If Slovakia does not get this approval, the country might have to chose the second option, which includes the tunnel Korbelka. The EC's decision is

A major US road and transport builders association is to stage what it claims is the first ever virtual conference and innovation showcase for the industry. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and its Transportation Officials Division (TOD) said the event would utilise digital technologies to bring a “first-class, virtual education and exhibition experience to the desktops of tens of thousands city and county government officials” who annually manage US$50billion in transport inf

European Commission (EC) vice-president Antonio Tajani said the performance of the continent’s construction sector had a “significant” bearing on the development of the whole European economy. “The competitiveness of construction companies is therefore an important issue not only for growth and employment in general, but also to ensure the sustainability of the sector,” added Tajani, who was speaking during the FIEC (European Construction Industry Federation) and EC organised ‘Construction Summit’ held duri

UK construction companies are being invited to attend an event showcasing road building and other infrastructure development opportunities linked to a US$5billion mine project in Brazil. The Pedra de Ferro Project Share Fair, supported by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) in association with The Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) and their local operating company in Brazil, Bamin, will seek to identify UK companies that can help begin production at a new 470.5 million tonne open iron ore mine in north

Wearing suitable head protection is crucial to the safety of all motorcycle riders

Motorists in China's Henan Province are set to benefit from a US$276.34million (CNY 1.76bn) investment in 58 trunk highway projects during 2012. The projects include upgrading the S237 route between Yuzhou and Xuchang and G107 road links between Menghu and Longhu.

Works on an elevated highway in Kenya are due to begin in January 2013. The initial US$200million cost of the project will be funded by the World Bank. The 12km stretch above the present Waiyaki Way and Mombasa Road-Uhuru Highway is due to be completed in 2015.

Sibmost and the Automobile Roads Department of the Krasnoyarsk Region have signed a US$371.07million (RR12billion) contract to construct the first phase of the fourth highway bridge in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia.

Zoomlion has delivered the first 80 of its claimed Chinese record-breaking order of 200 excavator machines to Inner Mongolia Qiantai Industrial Corporation. The claimed national single order transaction record is said by Zoomlion to be worth more than US$47.38million (300million yuan). The ZE360E model excavator in the order is a crawler excavator said to be specially designed for clients in the mining and construction industries, with key features including its practical applicability and low fuel consump

The proposed US$943million (€750mn) Strasbourg motorway beltway has been scrapped due to concerns over its need, cost and potential environmental impact. The project, which had been fiercely criticised by Strasbourg’s socialist and green party elected officials, has been added to the list of four other projects that are on hold or buried for the same reasons: the Lyon motorway beltway (estimated at €1.5bn to €2bn ten years ago); the Bordeaux toll road (€1.7bn); the Genoble beltway (€687mn); and the Marseill

Saudi Arabia deputy minister of transport and International Road Federation (IRF) chairman, His Excellency Abdullah Al-Mogbel, was presented with the coveted International Medal of Honour by the chairman of the Spanish Road Association at a recent ceremony in Madrid. The Medal pays tribute and gives public recognition to individuals whose careers have been closely related to the development of safe and efficient road infrastructure worldwide. Since its creation nearly fifty years ago, the Medal has been pre

Several key new road links will be built in Bolivia following the investment of US$150 million by the country’s road authority, Administradora Boliviana de Carreteras (ABC). The construction work will centre on Chuquisaca with work planned on some 302km of new roads. The work will include the 46.5km Sucre-Ravelo stretch, which is expected to cost $30 million, while work on the 68km Zudanez-Padilla road is expected to cost over $30 million.

A French driver intends to prove the range capabilities of electric vehicles. The man will drive an electric vehicle a distance of 4,800km through Africa from Nairobi on Kenya to Johannesburg in South Africa. The vehicle will be a modified version of a Citroen Berlingo van, converted by a firm called Venturi Automobiles to run on electric power only. The man, Xavier Chevrin, is no stranger to long range trips in electric vehicles. He previously drove from Paris to Almaty in Kazakhstan on an electric scooter