Products

IRF Presents “Find a Way” Regional Award to Chile

November 20, 2014

CONASET, a multi-agency committee which drives Chile’s road safety agenda, was the recipient of the regional road safety award instituted by IRF in 2011 to recognise the value of political leadership in the UN Decade of Action 2011-2020.

Driving feat

November 20, 2014

A young Latvian man has managed an impressive challenge, passing his driving test despite having no arms. Using his feet to control his car, which features a conventional automatic transmission and is completely standard, the man has achieved his feat. He lost his arms following a serious accident as a child but was keen to drive so as to maximise mobility.

Tram time

November 20, 2014

A driver of a compact Nissan car gave passengers waiting for a tram in the UK town of Oldham something of a surprise. Instead of the tram they expected to see, the small Nissan car drew to a halt in front of the stop.

Paid in full

November 20, 2014

An American man living in Phoenix, Arizona has finally paid an overdue parking fine, which he was first given in 1964. The man had parked his Vespa scooter illegally while on holiday in Italy. His fine had been set at 1,000 Lire, roughly US$13, for parking the scooter incorrectly while visiting the town of Lerici as a student.

Armless cycling meets long arm of the law

November 20, 2014

German police in the city of Cologne recently stopped a cyclist and fined him on safety grounds, because he was riding one-handed. The one-armed cyclist was understandably less than impressed and pointed out that there is no law in Germany as to having only one arm with which to control a bicycle or indeed a motor vehicle.

Driving Deficiencies

November 20, 2014

A multi-millionaire now has video evidence of his driving deficiencies following his performance during a race at the famous Monza track. The man struggled to control the high performance Ferrari, as he slid off the circuit and into the gravel traps placed on the curves for safety.

Litter vigilante

November 20, 2014

One female Russian biker is taking direct action to prevent drivers from dropping the litter from their vehicles. The woman has posted a series of video clips on the internet, showing her shaming dirty drivers dropping litter in the streets. When she spots a driver dropping rubbish into the roadway, the woman scoops up the discarded detritus and frequently flings it back in the open window of the vehicle, or simply tapes it to the car.

Crash saves lives

November 20, 2014

In Texas a police officer took affirmative action to tackle a drugged driver dangerously speeding the wrong way up a major highway. The officer spotted the errant vehicle heading the wrong way and drove his police cruiser deliberately into the path of the car, to safeguard other road users.

Topcon introduces sophisticated GIS technology

November 20, 2014

Topcon Positioning Group is broadening its range of GIS solutions with the introduction of the new FC-500 data controller and MAGNET Relay package. The FC-500 unit features a large, bright sunlight-readable display and is compatible with either the Topcon eGIS or MAGNET Field GIS software.

Tencate’s smart new MiraSpec road design software

November 20, 2014

TenCate Geosynthetics is broadening the versatility of its MiraSpec design solutions software to assist with both flexible pavement and unpaved road design. The MiraSpec package is said to be an easy to use software program that can assist in both paved and unpaved road design. This latest version can allow a designer to perform roadway designs with and without geosynthetics.

New camera from Vysionics offers accurate average speed detection

November 20, 2014

The SPECS3 VECTOR from Vysionics has now achieved the UK’s Home Office Type Approval (HOTA) and can be used for the enforcement of average speed offences. The SPECS3 VECTOR is unlike earlier SPECS platforms as it is a fully integrated camera unit with all of the camera, processing and communications modules built into a single housing.

WheelRight’s WIM groundbreaking claim

November 20, 2014

WheelRight claims to have scored an industry first by achieving accreditation from the National Measurement Office (NMO) for its innovative technology to the globally recognised Weigh in Motion standard OIML R134. The claimed groundbreaking R134 certification provides users with independent verification of the consistent performance of WheelRight’s drive-over solution. The firm’s solution enables transport companies, highway management firms and port authorities to check axle weights and tyre pressures wi

How is the world construction market performing?

November 20, 2014

Taking a world view, the construction equipment market provides a handy guide as to overall construction business activity. Evaluating machine shipments can provide a ready answer to those who ask, “What is happening?” Major manufacturers such as Caterpillar or Komatsu operate on a global basis and their results can be highly indicative of market conditions overall as well as in specific territories. Construction associations similarly provide strong insight into business activity. According to figures fro

Cranes top Tadano’s exhibit at bauma China

November 13, 2014

Japanese company, Tadano, which specialises in the development and production of hydraulic mobile cranes and hoisting equipment, will launch two products. The company, founded in 1948 with its headquarters in Takamatsu, has its main production activities take place at five sites (three in Japan; one in the USA, and one in Germany since 1990 through Tadano Faun). Tadano acquired the German company Faun in 1990. Tadano Faun represents the centre of excellence for the Tadano Group in with all Tadano all-ter

New quartet of Komatsu hydraulic excavators

November 13, 2014

Komatsu, through Komatsu (China), will be showing eight of its hydraulic excavator and wheeled loader models, including four newly-released hydraulic excavators. The company’s PC210LC-8 and PC56-7 hydraulic excavators will be joined by the new PC110-8, PC130-8, PC300-8 and PC360- 8 along with a HB205-1 hybrid hydraulic excavator and a WA380-6 wheeled loader. The PC210LC-8 has an operating weight of 21,990-23.750kg and a maximum bucket capacity of 1.68m³ while the compact PC56-7 mini excavator weighs 5.3t