News

A US$1.2 million three-year research project, one of the first major US studies to focus on 'eco-driving' techniques, conducted by the Center for Environmental Research and Technology at the University of California, Riverside, is aimed at the development of a next-generation, environmentally friendly driving feedback system with the goal of generating fuel savings of between 10 and 30 per cent. The project is being funded by a US Department of Energy grant, which is part of a $175 million federal programme

A jury of European experts from the fields of research and industry has chosen the winners of the 2012 Intermat Innovation Awards.

An innovative approach to the management of utilities works is the result of a partnership that has produced the Intelligent Trench. This novel underground mapping solution is also being combined with PelicanCorp's beforeUdig service to deliver a comprehensive and accurate national record-sharing service for underground assets in the UK. The new no-charge service allows local authorities and contractors to use the Intelligent Trench portal to access utility plan information directly from the portal's data b

A major European project aimed at delivering green traffic management systems in European cities and towns will be officially launched at the National Space Centre in Leicester, England, tomorrow. The project, which brings together research clusters from five European regions, is being led by the University of Leicester and Leicester City Council. Other local partners are De Montfort University, The University of Nottingham and Astrium Services – Leicester who will be working in partnership with research cl

A major European project aimed at delivering green traffic management systems in European cities and towns will be officially launched at the National Space Centre in Leicester, England, tomorrow. The project, which brings together research clusters from five European regions, is being led by the University of Leicester and Leicester City Council. Other local partners are De Montfort University, The University of Nottingham and Astrium Services – Leicester who will be working in partnership with research cl

The tender process for the A355 western Strasbourg bypass in France is nearing completion and the winner will be announced shortly. The 24km highway stretch is expected to take 52 months to build and will cost some €750 million while for the moment at least, Vinci Concessions is the preferred bidder. The 55 year contract includes design, financing, construction and operation and maintenance.

Registrations are open for the 2012 Summit of the International Transport Forum, which will focus on seamless transport. This global transport policy platform is linked to the OECD and will take place on 2-4 May in Leipzig, Germany. The event will bring together ministers, industry leaders and top experts from the Forum’s 53 member countries and beyond. The theme of the 2012 Summit is Seamless Transport: Making Connections and for the first time, China will be participating as a full member in the Summit.

Despite the recent failure of the Turkish Government’s tender for the project to build a third bridge over the Bosphorus, the deal may yet go ahead. Japanese firms Itochu, Obayashi, IHI and Mitsubishi have revealed that they are still interested in constructing a third bridge over the Bosphorus at Istanbul, as well as constructing the associated tolled highway.

A new US$350 million road project by the Israel National Roads Company will boost connectivity from the north to the centre of the country. The project is seeing the opening of new interchanges and roads in western Galilee.

Two full-colour, high-resolution Daktronics Vanguard dynamic message sign (DMS) products have officially been approved by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDoT) to manage traffic congestion and provide safety on highways throughout the state. By adding these two signs, Florida now has five Daktronics DMS and one DMS traffic cabinet on its Approved Product List (APL).

A new range of safety-focused automatic quick couplers will be launched by Geith at INTERMAT, specifically for mini excavators. The new QC35/40 hydraulic coupler is designed for use on mini-excavators from two- to four tonnes, giving the operator a fully automatic, safe change-over system without having to leave the cab. A patented double pin locking system ensures that the coupler retains the attachment in a safe position even if there is a loss of power, said the firm.

Mission Mitsubishi, a Mitsubishi dealer in San Antonio, has announced that Mitsubishi's i-MiEV Prototype will be taking on the historic Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which will take place in Colorado on 8 July, 2012.

The EU Human Rights Court has ruled in favour of two drivers who received traffic tickets from French authorities, but were not provided the means to contest them. Both men paid the fine required and one lost a point off his driver's permit. Both called for the reimbursement of the fine.