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A new report from the Lighting Research Center* at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute focuses on the benefits from switching to LED lighting technologies There is a rapidly changing landscape for roadway lighting worldwide, largely due to the widespread acceptance of light-emitting diode (LED) technology. In developed markets such as the US, this has opened up a universe of new possibilities regarding LED replacement lamps. There are 144 million high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps in the US, representing

Mike Dreznes, executive vice president at the International Road Federation (IRF) discusses road safety for work zone areas. Work zones around the world can create significant congestion and can cost society billions of dollars. Estimates in the United States alone include approximately 87,600 work zone crashes involving 37,500 injuries that result in 482 million lost hours, valued at approximately US$6.5 billion. When considering these numbers worldwide, it becomes clear that work zone safety and work zone

The Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, Department for Traffic Signalization, University of Zagreb has carried out extensive research into markings in partnership with SWARCO. The two bodies have evaluated the performance of waterborne and solvent based paints under normal usage conditions. The aim is evaluate the use of waterborne road markings in Croatia, to reduce the emissions of volatile organic compounds and increase the safety of applicators by eliminating toxic and flammable materials. Te

Better road markings can boost safety for road users. There is currently a strong focus on traffic safety in Europe with a number of programmes intended to reduce the overall number of crashes on roads and cut the statistics for injuries and fatalities. In the first EU programme implemented between 2001 and 2010, the goal was to halve the number of people killed in road crashes. Most EU countries showed significant improvement over the decade and a few countries met or even exceeded this target of 50% r

Mike Dreznes, executive vice president at the International Road Federation (IRF) discusses the proper utilisation of longitudinal barriers as a road safety priority Road authorities have a duty of care to ensure infrastructure not only meets safety requirements but provides protection for all road users. Crash barriers play an essential role in maximising safety, lowering the risk of sudden impact for road users and also allowing redirective capabilities. If a road authority has a rigid hazard locate

An array of versatile new machines from different segments is available for the rental sector - Mike Woof writes The rental machine market continues to develop in many countries around the world. Equipment rental has a long history in the UK and the US and in more recent years has developed well in France also, while other countries are also benefiting from growth in this sector. As with other machines, equipment for the European and US rental sector now has to meet tough exhaust and noise emissions legi

Emerging markets, such as North and East Africa, are developing an appetite for materials testing equipment, but suppliers need to provide expertise and training as well as a broad range of machines, as Kristina Smith finds out Asking what sort of testing equipment is required for Africa is a little bit like asking what sort of food Europeans like to eat. The answer is that requirements vary enormously from the most basic and ancient of tests to the very cutting edge of dynamic testing. “You have some

An experienced contractor in Australia is benefiting from using stringless controls for slipforming work to boost efficiency. Set up times are shorter using the Topcon technology for stringless paving An Australian contractor is now benefiting from using stringless controls for slipforming work on its Power Curbers machine Statewide Kerbing of Sydney, New South Wales, has been an innovator with different types of slipforming work in Australia. And the firm has taken that one step ahead by using the

The use of machine control technology on a bypass construction job has boosted quality quality control is a topic that clients as well as contractors are finding increasingly important. Control systems are being used more and more often on construction sites as a result, so as to collect data on a range of processes. This includes looking at the asphalt being supplied to site and on the quality of paving during construction. Using this data, processes can be optimised in the medium-term and, in the long-ter

A series of new advances in asphalt plant design are now coming to market - Mike Woof writes Key innovations in asphalt plant designs from major manufacturers will offer clients reductions in running costs along with gains in quality control and output. Several of the leading manufacturers are introducing new models that will deliver efficiency gains, as well as options for greater mobility and/or versatility. Swiss-based Ammann is introducing two new mobile plants, the EcoBatch and QuickBatch models,