Features

So far 14 organisations have joined forces to make the 1st IRF Europe & Central Asia Regional Congress a hub for up-to-date regional knowledge and industry practices. Leading stakeholder organisations ranging from the South East Europe Transport Observatory to the Turkish Asphalt Contractors Association (ASMUD) have provided key policy input and will be holding side sessions on topics closely connected to core themes of the Congress. “ASMUD creates and supports organising the platforms in national and inte

The wealth of experiences and ideas shared during the recent 4th IRF Caribbean Regional Congress underscored the International Road Federation’s value in shaping policy contributions to global transportation challenges ranging from resilient infrastructure to road safety. The regional congress coincided with the start of the 3rd United Nations Global Road Safety Week, an initiative aimed at fostering discussion and awareness-raising in more than 100 countries. The event was run by the IRF Washington office

The IRF Geneva said that India has the dubious distinction of claiming the highest number of fatalities by road crashes. More than 10% of road-related deaths occur in India alone, and this poses a serious challenge, being the major killer of young and productive lives. While India’s infrastructure programme is being lauded all over the world and high rate of growth has been achieved for the 1.25 billion strong democracy, a significant 3% of the GDP is lost every year due to the uncontrolled and unmanaged

The International Road Federation (IRF Geneva), the Transport Planning and Research Institute of the Ministry of Transport of China (TPRI), and the China Highway and Transportation Society (CHTS) will be hosting a major conference in the beautiful city of Chongqing, China on 20th-22nd September 2015. The call for abstracts is now open. Chongqing was separated from Sichuan province and made into a municipality in its own right in March 1997 in order to accelerate its development. Since its elevation to nati

Geosynthetic materials are increasing its significance in many applications in the civil and underground engineering. One of such application is in foundation stabilization for roads. A life cycle assessment (LCA) study on behalf of the European Association for Geosynthetic Manufacturers (EAGM)1 has re-vealed that the use of geosynthetic materials will contribute for sustainable highways. In road construction the sub-base needs to meet defined requirements for compaction and bearing ca-pacity. Improveme

Improving technologies for machine control systems continue to deliver increases in efficiency for contractors - Mike Woof writes Machine control technologies have continued to develop as the specialist suppliers in this fiercely fought sector seek to find a competitive advantage over their rivals. The key players, Leica Geosystems, MOBA, Topcon and Trimble, have all been pushing the boundaries with their latest technologies. Although the systems these firms are introducing are aimed at a number of differen

Melbourne’s road users are the focus of a year-long study into what options are possible for funding road infrastructure projects including various user-pays models. The study headed by Australian toll roads operator Transurban will conducted across Melbourne’s entire road network to see how drivers react to tolling and other road-use models such as charging motorists for each kilometre travelled, a charge to access roads, annual fixed costs per kilometre on expected usage and price per trip. It will al

A series of new rubber tyred asphalt compactors are now coming to market from several key manufacturers - Mike Woof writes Several of the major European compactor manufacturers are introducing new rubber tyred machines to meet demand. Pneumatic tyred rollers are often used for finishing work in road construction, due to the high quality surface they can deliver.

Astec’s headline RAP plant can use up to 65% RAP content As it does for the 50% double barrel system aggregate dryer/drum mixer model, Astec is guaranteeing that its customers will get the increased percentage. The unit runs at 181-360tonnes/hour production (200-400UStons/hour). Astec, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, manufactures all of their state-of-the-art Hot Mix Asphalt plants in the US. They introduced the first double barrel plant in 1989, according to executive vice president Steven Claude, during

Increasing asphalt plant sophistication will boost the capabilities for the use of recycled materials - Mike Woof writes Major innovation is being seen in the asphalt plant sector with many of the major manufacturers developing sophisticated new plants. The increased use of recycled materials and reduced fumes emissions are all important issues for the segment. In the US for example, the potential for recycled asphalt has been well identified. It is now one of the most frequently recycled industrial materia

Major manufacturers have unveiled new paving machines at key events in the US and Europe in recent months - Mike Woof reports The recent World of Asphalt and Intermat exhibitions have seen the introduction of several new asphalt paving machines. Major manufacturers were present at both events, with several new models being unveiled. The focus on World of Asphalt, held in the US city of Baltimore, was understandably on pavers for the North American and Latin American markets. Meanwhile new pavers on show at