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Munich-based light equipment manufacturer Wacker Neuson reports a healthy balance sheet despite difficult conditions. The company says that group revenue climbed by 13% for the first quarter, compared with the same period last year. This a new record for the first quarter of €291.6 million, compared with €257.1 million for the same period in 2013. The performance was affected by currency fluctuations as currency values in many emerging markets as well as the US dollar lost ground against the Euro in the fir

New research shows a drop in motorcyclist deaths in the US. The figures compiled for the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) show a 7% drop in motorcyclist fatalities in the US in 2013, compared with data for the previous year. However, the GHSA cautions that poor weather in 2013 may have had an effect, reducing the total distance travelled by motorcyclists and therefore the numbers of crashes. Research shows 2013 to be only the second year since 1997 in which there has been a drop in motorcyclist d

A study into new technologies by The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) in the US reveals that advanced video systems could cut crashes. VTTI’s report analysed collisions involving heavy trucks and buses and found that Lytx’s video-based driver safety system could save lives and reduce injuries. The study concluded that heavy trucks and buses using the DriveCam powered by Lytx Program could reduce fatalities, collisions and injuries. “If driver behavior is the primary reason for traffic crashes,

A study from the US focussing on driving impairment from alcohol reveals results of major concern. According to the results, even drivers who are minimally impaired are more often to blame for fatal car crashes than the sober drivers they collide with. The study analysed data from crashes in the US and was led by UC San Diego sociologist David Phillips. The results were published in the British Medical Journal group’s Injury Prevention. In all the study examined 570,731 fatal collisions, from 1994 to 2011.T

The UK is to introduce tougher sentences for serious driving offences. This will focus on those repeat offenders who are driving while disqualified and cause deaths or serious injuries to others. The move comes in the wake of several campaigns on behalf of victims of bad drivers. Disqualified drivers will face a maximum of 10 years for those who kill and four years for those who cause serious injuries. The current maximum sentence is only two years for a death, while there is no specific offence for causing

Italian equipment manufacturers report encouraging signs in terms of sales. This follows a six year slump that saw the domestic market fall 80%, although exports continue to dominate turnover. The Foreign Trade Monitor of Construction Equipment Outlook by the equipment organisations Unacea and Prometeia indicates that exports of construction machinery in January 2014 were worth €160 million, posting an increase of 21.6% compared to the previous year. At the end of 2013 sales had dropped 3% compared with the

Chilean construction organisation CChC has published a study saying the country needs to spend some US$12.5 billion on road upgrades and construction over the next 10 years. This is because the country’s vehicle numbers are increasing, according to Business News Americas. The report says that Chile needs to expand its road network by 12,500km to 90,000km by 2023 to keep pace with the growing volume of traffic. Some 4,000km of the proposed new road should be highway or toll road, according to the study. To r

The Humber Bridge Board in the UK is set to deploy an automatic tolling system at the famous structure near Kingston upon Hull in northern England from the autumn of 2014 to the spring of 2015. The number of manual payment toll booths is being reduced to three from six to accommodate two free-flow lanes and automatic tolling infrastructure. The updated booths are anticipated to be operational in June 2014 or early July 2014. Until the installation of the automated system is complete, the toll booths will co

The Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (Scirt) in New Zealand says it will cost US$1.53 (NZD 1.77bn) to repair roads and underground pipes in Christchurch damaged by the February 2011 earthquake. However, it only has funding of $1.17 billion (NZD 1.36 billion) and cancellation of some projects is necessary in order to reduce costs by 30%. Scirt has already spent $1.34 billion (NZD 1.56 billion) to repair broken pipes and roads in Christchurch. Raj Manji, the Christchurch city council's financ

Austria is to invest €1 billion in its road network in 2014, with a further €1.3 billion investment in 2015 funded by drivers and the transport industry. Of these sums, 60% will be spent on new construction projects, while 40% will be used for maintenance works.