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Leica Geosystems is to expand its operations following a move by its parent, Hexagon. Under the terms of this deal, Hexagon will acquire all outstanding shares of Navgeocom, which is the largest Russian distributor for Leica Geosystems. The acquisition marks another step in Hexagon's global distribution strategy, which aims to establish a strong direct presence in key markets. This will help Hexagon’s presence in Russia, which is benefiting from significant expenditure on infrastructure development at prese

Leica Geosystems is to expand its operations following a move by its parent, Hexagon. Under the terms of this deal, Hexagon will acquire all outstanding shares of Navgeocom, which is the largest Russian distributor for Leica Geosystems. The acquisition marks another step in Hexagon's global distribution strategy, which aims to establish a strong direct presence in key markets. This will help Hexagon’s presence in Russia, which is benefiting from significant expenditure on infrastructure development at prese

Austrian state-owned motorway operator Asfinag says it will invest US$ 1.28 billion (€960mn) in motorways and highways in 2013. This includes $466.65 million for maintenance. The rest is for new roads and extensions of existing ones. A total of $9.19 billion will be spent between now and 2018. The company said that its debts will rise from $15.73 billion to $15.99 billion. One focus will be on improving the safety of tunnels. Asfinag will also make an effort to avoid construction-related traffic jams.

Ecorodovias will only participate in two of the nine road segment tenders being issued by Brazil’s government in 2013, according to its president Marcelino Rafart de Seras. The goal for the road management firm is said to be the consolidation of work on strategic developments, as Ecorodovias is expanding operations to other sectors, such as logistics, port and airport businesses. In January-September 2012, Ecorodovias brought in $889.26 million (BRL 1.81bn) in turnover, with profits of $142.93 million and a

The new executive director of the Brussels-based Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories (FEHRL) will be director of infrastructure at the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) Bob Collis. This international association comprises 30 national research and technical institutes from across Europe, with links to non-European countries. FEHRL’s mission is to promote and facilitate collaboration on road research and provide high quality information and advice on technologies and policies rela

In China’s Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Zhejiang Province and Hunan Province, major infrastructure investment plans are being drawn up for 2013. In the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, an investment of US$17.7 billion will be made on transportation development. This will include work on four airports as well as building five highways with a combined length of 363km during the year. Meanwhile, in Zhejiang Province some $48.2 billion will be invested in developing the road network, of which $6.6 billion

Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development, Rusnano, the Federal Highway Agency, Governments of Moscow, the Tatarstan Republic (Volga), and the Ryazan region (Central) are planning to invest US$3.13 billion in a pilot project for innovative infrastructure projects. Called Innovative Roads, this joint federal pilot project is intended to increase road service life by three-five times, cut energy consumption for roads by 10-15 times, and lower the weight of bridges and barriers by three times. Inventory of roa

Bosch and PSA Peugeot Citroën are now working on a hydraulic hybrid powertrain for passenger cars. The system features two hydraulic units linked to pressure accumulators. Using this technology the vehicle can be driven using the conventional power source, hydraulically or by a combination of the two. Under low load, the internal-combustion engine can be run at a more economical operating status. When braking, kinetic energy is converted into hydraulic energy and stored in the pressure accumulator, which ca

Brazilian road and transport concessionaire CCR has begun studies with a view to taking part in various infrastructure projects in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. It is reported that the group is interested in state road projects and intercity/regional railroads, as well as more metro lines. CCR says it is also following transport opportunities in Rio de Janeiro and airport concessions for Galeao (Rio de Janeiro) and Cofins (Minas Gerais).