Features

The ERF is amongst the campaigners for a safer road network. Safety is of crucial importance given the large number of fatalities on Europe’s road network. In 2012 alone, more than 30,000 people died on European roads, resulting in a negative impact on social, economic and health factors. Road safety has become a priority not only for the EU institutions but also at international level for the United Nations with the launching of the Decade of Action for Road Safety. Traditionally, improvements in road safe

The upcoming Brazil Road Expo event is capitalising on the country’s strong growth in highway construction. Brazil’s construction machinery market foresees an average growth of 12.5% in 2013, according to a survey of equipment manufacturers and importers released at the end of 2012. The third edition of Brazil Road Expo, the main paving technology and road infrastructure event in the country, is being held from March 19th-21st at the Transamerica Expo Center, in São Paulo. The event will gather some of the

The milling machine market is increasingly competitive - Mike Woof reports. Having been a pioneer of the road milling machine market, it is no surprise that the Wirtgen group holds a dominant position in this sector. The company has arguably the broadest range of machines available with the widest array of options and features, to suit specific applications as well as regional requirements. The company has faced increasing levels of competition however, with firms such as BOMAG, Caterpillar, Dynapac, Roadte

The 2013 World of Asphalt and AGG1 expositions taking place March 19-21 in San Antonio, Texas are on course to be sold out by opening day, setting new records for exhibitor numbers and attendees. Guy Woodford discovers that major construction industry manufacturers will be highlighting new as well as established machine models in their exhibits at the co-located events Covering more than 10,870m² of exhibit space, attendees at the 2013 World of Asphalt and AGG1 shows can expect to find a huge line-up of new

South Sudan’s new showpiece road has reduced travelling times and improved access to markets and basic services. Shem Oirere reports Bituminous surface treatment is common for highways with low-traffic or for the rejuvenation of a weakening asphalt concrete pavement. But this is what the 192km Juba-Nimule Highway in the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan, needed in its reconstruction to bring it to international standards. Commissioning of the highway effectively erases the tag ‘landlocked’ from South Su

Firmly established as part of the road marking landscape on highways in Europe, USA and Australia, Geveko’s PREMARK preformed thermoplastic road marking is being increasingly used to help guide traffic in the North Africa, Middle East and Gulf regions. A recent example is the introduction of Persian words, a car symbol and an ETC logo to help guide the traffic and increase its flow at a toll station in Iran. Meanwhile in Ajman, in the United Arab Emirates, PREMARK is now used on horizontal speed limit signs

3i Traffic, a division of 3i Innovation, had its iiiLEVEL road marking installed last year in the Terrace Tunnel, the busiest in the New Zealand city of Wellington. The inductively powered system comprises flush-mounted iiiLEVEL road markers, with uni-/bi-directional light direction and red and white LEDs. The intelligent iiiLEVEL road markers are said to provide dimming functions for day and night time adaption as well as emergency functions with all sides (light directions) on. A previous Terrace Tunnel o

One market segment where there have been notable developments has been for rubber tyred asphalt rollers. Several models have been introduced, and the Chinese market has played a key role in this respect, with both international and indigenous companies introducing machines. BOMAG’s Chinese factory is not simply building models developed in Europe. This recently expanded facility has its own research and development teams and is developing machines for China, and also for the international market. Emission r

A wide range of new models is being introduced for the asphalt equipment compaction market – Mike Woof reports. The asphalt compaction equipment market is seeing the introduction of new machines from an array of major manufacturers. Manufacturers have introduced both steel drum and rubber tyred rollers to meet customer demands in specific markets as well as globally, and have also developed innovative new compaction practices. Competition in the asphalt compaction market is increasingly tough, with many of