• 25775 results found

Filters

Search

Volvo CE Q1 2013 net sales down 33% - but firm maintains profitability
April 25, 2013
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) said sharply lower global demand, especially in the mining sector, during the first three months of 2013 had caused its 33% net sales decline in the quarter to US$1.829 billion (SEK 12,136mn). The Swedish construction equipment manufacturing giant’s operating income was also down in Q1 2013 to $75.38 million (SEK 500mn), compared to $314.97 million (SEK 2,089mn) in the first quarter of 2012, while operating margin was 4.1%, down from 11.6% in Q1 2012. Volvo CE said it
Read More
Mott MacDonald to acquire South African engineering specialist PDNA
April 25, 2013
Mott MacDonald, the global engineering, management and development consultant, is to acquire the Johannesburg-based engineering specialist, PD Naidoo & Associates. Under the deal which will see the activities of the two companies in southern Africa come together to create an 800-employee concern, the new Mott MacDonald PDNA business will provide a much extended, multi-sector capability for the entire sub-Saharan region. Subject to approval by the Competition Commission of South Africa, the move is said to b
Read More
State-of-the art road tunnels in construction and use of ITS
April 25, 2013
A wealth of major road tunnel construction projects and significant cant ITS installations within existing key road tunnels have been recently completed or will soon be underway. Guy Woodford examines some of them. A state-of-the art Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) - the 10th largest ever to be built worldwide will be put to work later this year on New Zealand Transport Agency’s landmark Waterview Connection project in Auckland. The giant Herrenknecht-manufactured machine will be used to construct the twin 2.5
Read More
Superlative formwork’s global appeal
April 25, 2013
The latest formwork solutions are enabling some tough bridge-building projects to be delivered in South America and Europe, while the world’s largest construction equipment show is seeing the merits of other cutting-edge formwork. Guy Woodford reports. Taking a road and rail link across one of South America’s largest rivers, together with its swamps and floodplain, calls for a new crossing of superlative dimensions. Two 135.5m pylons for the third bridge across the Orinoco River in Venezuela are taking shap
Read More
Efficient asset management delivers
April 25, 2013
Maximising the economic benefit of infrastructure assets can be achieved through delivering better quality maintenance. Increasing utilisation of infrastructure follows on from those assets being in better condition. Clearly by tracking infrastructure condition closely, huge gains can be made in addressing technical issues before they become more serious and more costly, as well as minimising disruption. In UK city Birmingham, high resolution aerial photography from Bluesky is helping the city council under
Read More
Yotta develops new tools for sophisticated GIS package
April 25, 2013
Highway technology and services company Yotta DCL has announced new features for Horizons. The web-based platform integrates GIS, pavement and asset management for highways authorities and agencies to use in a visualised asset management system. The new version 2.3 adds features and functionality across three modules: Explorer, Analysis and Management. Explorer allows users to view, load and visualise a range of datasets, including base network data, their condition in fine detail, plus relevant asset or co
Read More
PTV’s novel traffic analysis system
April 25, 2013
German traffic analysis consultant and software maker PTV, which produces the well-known Visum and Vissim strategic traffic analysis and micro-simulation tools, has launched a new assessment tool aimed at studying traffic impact of new developments. PTV Vistro is claimed to be the first all-in­ one-solution for transport analysis and signal optimisation, an easy-to-use software that can be used to conduct traffic studies which are often a mandatory part of development applications and planning approvals.
Read More
Autodesk introduces new software tools
April 25, 2013
As World Highways was going to press Autodesk was due to announce the 2014 versions of its entire range of programs including AutoCAD, Civil 3D, NavisWorks and Revit Structural and others programs used by the road industry. As previously, they are packaged in suites; Standard, Premium and Ultimate. Key aspects focus around the inclusion of a completely new and fast point-cloud “engine” developed from the Alice Labs company acquisition made last year. Part of a new Autodesk Recap, standing for reality captur
Read More
Software advances from around the globe
April 24, 2013
A quick look at various software development in highways – Adrian Greeman. Software for BIM processes, internet cloud based computing to link site and office, and the use of laser scan point-cloud data continue to be the central themes for major software suppliers in the road design area. Developments go hand in hand with the recent strategic agreements that firms like Autodesk and Bentley Systems have made with major survey companies, Topcon and Trimble respectively. The tie-ups, along with acquisitions, m
Read More
New driveline developments boost machine efficiency
April 24, 2013
Advances in transmission technology will help to optimise machine performance – writes Mike Woof. As construction machines have become more sophisticated, so have the transmission systems used in items of equipment. Advances in electronics and software in particular have allowed the development of integrated transmissions. These operate more efficiently and help optimise power delivery from an engine, boosting torque response and cutting fuel consumption and emissions at the same time. The smart electronics
Read More