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Work is underway on an important highway improvement scheme in Vietnam. The project involves upgrading the Gia Lai-Binh Dinh section of National Highway 19. The work is being carried out under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. The actual construction work is scheduled for completion during 2015. The project is costing US$95 million and involves work to a 56km section of the route. The concession package has been agreed under a 22 year deal.

In China a new 88km highway is planned that will connect Chengde with capital Beijing. The highway will connect Chengde in Hebei Province to Beijing's Pinggu district. The project will cost some US$1.32 billion. The route will feature a design speed of 100km/h. Construction work on the Chengde section of the highway is due to commence in 2014.

Electric vehicles and hybrids should be fitted with noise emission equipment to reduce danger levels for the blind and partially sighted, according to the European Blind Union (EBU). The EBU is calling on the EU to make noise generators compulsory for all electric and hybrid vehicles due to the obvious risks these pose to blind and partially sighted people. Hybrid vehicles generally run in electric mode when operating at lower speeds in the urban cycle and generate very little engine noise, while electric v

A new agreement in the US will help tackle the issue of drink driving using sophisticated in-car technologies. The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is extending its cooperative agreement with the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), which comprises 15 automakers. This agreement will see research continuing into advanced alcohol detection technology that could prevent vehicles from being driven by a drunk driver. “Drunk driving remains a deadly crime

A series of major trade routes are being upgraded in Nepal, which are intended to help boost bilateral trade with neighbouring India and China. This will see four key trade routes being upgraded to six lanes. These are the; Butwal-Belhiya, Rani-Ithari, Surybinayak-Dhulikhel and Birgunj-Pathalaiya highway sections. Work is already underway on the Butwal-Belihiya and Rani-Ithari highway sections while work is also being planned for the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel and Birgunj-Pathalaiya highways. Of the 24km stretc

Two important bridge projects are planned for Indonesia. The South Korean firm Samsung is keen to build a 6.7km bridge to link Bintan Island with the free trade zone (FTZ) located in Batam Island. The copmany has been in discussions with the Indonesian Government with regard to the project, which will also include developing a container port in Batam's Tanjung Sauh and is likely to cost in the order of US$576.5 million in all. Meanwhile plans are in hand for a new 600m bridge to be developed in Jayapura. Th

Data from Japan’s National Police Agency reveals that 4,373 people were killed in crashes in 2013. This was a fall of 0.9% compared with the figures for 2012. The fall in road traffic deaths in 2013 is said to have come as a result of better traffic safety initiatives. The data revealed that 799,660 people were injured in crashes in 2013, while Japan saw a total of 628,248 crashes overall. Worryingly some 2,303 senior citizens were killed in traffic crashes in 2013, a rise of 1.7%, while at 219, the highest

Conexpo and IFPE 2014 are international trade exhibitions that will provide information and support for industry professionals worldwide. According to the organisers, more than 95 allied associations and groups are official show supporting organisations, while hundreds of industry meetings and conventions will be held at the shows and key countries for industry business are hosting international exhibit pavilions. Safety and education/training will be spotlighted with focused industry events in the outdoor

The organisers of the Conexpo event are offering a comprehensive education programme at the exhibition, as well as at its partner IFPE 2014 event. This is intended to help attendees sharpen their professional skills and improve their business efficiency and productivity. Industry experts will be on hand to share the latest operational techniques and management strategies, with sessions offered at varying times throughout the shows for attendees to maximise their time onsite.

More than 35 million electric vehicles (EV) will be on the world’s roads by 2022, according to a new report from Navigant Research. “With gasoline prices remaining high, acquiring an EV is becoming an economic decision for many consumers,” says Scott Shepard, research analyst with Navigant Research. “The initial purchase price premiums for EVs, compared to conventional gasoline and diesel-powered internal combustion engines, are substantial. Yet, operational cost savings due to reduced refuelling and maint