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Road transport is the key to improving Africa's links within its own territory, and further afield as Patrick Smith reports. Development of road transportation is the key to the future of the African economy, and countries on the continent are making great strides. According to a report by a transport infrastructure expert at the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), within the next 15 years the value of trade in Africa could reach US$250 billion if a $32 billion investment is made to integrate

In Lithuania, cold mix asphalt containing recycled asphalt pavement has been installed in a new base course overlay for a section of the A1, the country's most heavily trafficked motorway.

Mixtures with special additives are being produced for roads, offering noise reduction and aiding recycling. Patrick Smith reports. Noise-reducing road surfacings have been used in motorway construction for some time. But relatively new are noise-optimised surfacings used on roads in towns that do not follow a standard concept.Road trials with these materials have taken place in Germany since 2007 and have been prioritised due to the European Union Guidelines on the Assessment and Management of Environmenta

With geosynthetics sales set to grow rapidly in the next three years, manufacturers are preparing for the demand. Patrick Smith reports. Global demand for geosynthetics is projected to increase 5.3% annually to 4.7 billion m² in 2013 with countries such as China, India and Russia expected to post the strongest gains through the forecast period. All are building large-scale infrastructure developments and face evolving environmental protection regulations and strict building construction codes.

Nashville International Airport in the US state of Tennessee has revamped its facilities following extensive upgrades being carried out on its oldest runway in a project worth some US$23 million. The airport authorities realised that to improve both capacity and safety a major improvement of runway 2L-20R was required, with full-depth reconstruction needed to provide the necessary structural strength and working life. Engineering firm Garver Aviation worked on the project to rehabilitate the portion of Runw

Swedish contractor Peab Asfalt generally works on major road and highway projects in the inland portion of the country. However the company has shown itself able to take on a considerable challenge, by repaving an airport runway.

The International Road Federation (IRF), founded in 1948, is the only world forum advocating better and safer roads through better road design and construction bearing in mind the user.