Features

An upfront combination of both cost savings and reduced environmental impact are now possible as a result of Kraton Polymers' continued investment in polymer innovation, says the company. "The new polymers enable a reduction in the bound pavement thickness by allowing the use of highly polymer modified bitumen (PMB) base course binders without excessive viscosities or incompatibility problems. The step change improvements in binder strength, flexibility and toughness result in a dramatic improvement in asph

Composite bridge specialist falsework, Paraslim, from RMD Kwikform is being used to construct a viaduct and rail over-bridge in Wales. Paraslim is supporting the £35 million (US$55.7 million) A487 Porthmadog, Minffordd and Tremadog Bypass constructed by a joint venture partnership of Balfour Beatty and Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK.

One of the major components of public infrastructure is the transportation group. This group mainly includes the road network, airports, railroads, and ports.

Actions are planned on road safety but are they enough? - *Charles Melhuish and *Alan Ross report. Deaths and injuries on the world's roads are now a major health concern. Road crashes now cause around 1.3 million deaths and injure or disable as many as 50 million persons globally each year. The vast majority of these deaths and injuries (over 90%) occur in low- and medium- income countries adding to their already overburdened health facilities as well as adversely affecting economic and social development

Paul Nordengen of South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) introduces a comprehensive self-regulation initiative to improve road wear, road safety and transport productivity in South Africa

As part of its strong commitment to promoting the objectives of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2011-2020), IRF will be convening a major international symposium in Bucharest, Romania from 10-11 May, 2011. The symposium, based around the theme Providing Infrastructure that improves Road Safety, will take the form of a high-level, two-day interactive gathering, built around six sessions addressing key themes.

The US infrastructure network requires urgent attention - * T Peter Ruane. America's transportation infrastructure was once the "shining light on top of the hill." Major investments in a national highway, bridge, transit, airport, port and waterway system during the 20th century paid great dividends. The free and efficient flow of goods and people across the 50 states led to unparalleled economic expansion. The mobility and prosperity resulting from an interconnected infrastructure was a model for the world