News

The first INTERMAT Middle East, the international exhibition for machinery, materials and equipment for construction and infrastructure, has been held in Abu Dhabi.

New research in Spain that explored solutions to reducing traffic noise suggests that the best option is to combine global measures, such as speed restrictions, and local measures, such as noise screens.

Telvent GIT has been awarded a project to develop the smart mobility management system in the city of Quito, in Ecuador. This ambitious project, headed up by EPMMOP (the Metropolitan Public Mobility and Public Works Company) is intended to solve the traffic problems facing the two million citizens in Quito’s metropolitan area each day.

Turkey recently unveiled ambitious targets towards improving its transportation infrastructure for 2023, the year the country will celebrate its 100th year anniversary as Republic of Turkey. The main means of transportation in Turkey is by highways, and the coach and bus industry has played a crucial role in passenger transportation. The recent increases in the number of airports and charter companies have made travel by plane a potential choice for passengers. However, railways have contributed rather insi

In the UK severe winter conditions for the second year in succession have resulted in an increase in the number of pavement surface failures and potholes developing. With local authorities facing budget cuts as part of the UK Government's austerity drive to reduce debt, there is little funding left for planned road maintenance work, let alone repairing potholes. The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents local authorities in England and Wales, says that there is a shortage of some €194 million

Major repairs are required to roads and bridges in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro State following the recent spate of flooding. In all 185 bridges and five roads will have to be repaired or rebuilt, with the work expected to cost in the region of US$237.6 million. Severe weather conditions caused the flooding, which was particularly heavy in in the hilly regions of Nova Friburgo, Teresopolis, Sumidouro, Petropolis, Bom Jardim, Sao Jose do Vale do Rio Preto and Areal.

South Africa's Transport Ministry has set out plans for a new road improvement programme. Called S'Hambe Sonke the US$3.04 billion programme will run for three years and tackle improvements to secondary roads. Filling potholes will be the priority of the plan, which is intended to employ up to 70,000 people during 2011 and help provide work. Labour intensive construction methods will be used according to the Transport Ministry, which means that many of the repairs will use traditional techniques rather than

Investigations are in hand in Costa Rica over a series of faults on the highway linking capital San Jose with Caldera. The US$230 million highway has suffered surface cracking in certain stretches, while a number of landslides have also occurred along the route that have required clearing and for repairs to be made. Costa Rica's authorities are investigating Autopistas del Sol following allegations of corruption with regard to the San Jose to Caldera highway project. The investigations are looking at the co

Caterpillar is introducing a revised line-up of 20-24 tonne E Series crawler excavators at Intermat 2012. The 320E, 323E and the reduced radius 320E RR adopt the EU Stage IIIB Cat C6.6 ACERTTM engine, providing reduced emissions and fuel consumption savings of up to 11% compared to other D Series models. A wider range of cab seating, including heating and cooling options, comes with the new E Series crawler excavators. Time delay lighting, additional safety handrails and improved serviceability are also sai

A low level of investment in improvements and upgrades to Germany’s highway network is causing concern in the country’s transport sector. Some states have revealed a backlog of works needing to be carried out, with road surfaces now reaching the end of their design life and bridges requiring replacement in different parts of the country. Transport groups say that continuing low road maintenance budgets will further exacerbate the problem.

Chinese construction equipment manufacturer LiuGong Machinery announced first quarter earnings of US$93.35 million (¥612 million; ?66.03 million) from a net profit of $905.58 million (¥5.94billion; ?640.59 million) total sales revenue.

The partnership of national road research centres, FEHRL, is setting out two key strategy elements in a bid to develop an advanced and affordable transport infrastructure. FEHRL says that an effective transport system will provide the basis for economic opportunities. The FEHRL General Assembly (FGA) set out two important strategy elements within its fifth Strategic European Road Research Programme (SERRP V) launched in 2011. One is for the gradual broadening of its scope to transport infrastructure in rai

LiuGong Construction Machinery says doubling its North American-based equipment sales in 2011, compared to the previous 12 months, reinforces the company's goal of being among the world's top 10 equipment manufacturers by 2015.