Features

Anticipating new trends, IRF is organising a panel discussion on this promising and fast-growing market during the 2nd International Roads & Environment Conference Signing the declaration on Energy, Security and Climate Change in Hokkaido, Japan, during the last G8 meeting, 17 leaders of the world's major economies have underlined the potential of appropriate market mechanisms when looking for global solutions in the fight against climate change. Emissions' trading is one of the options and certainly the in

Timely maintenance using proven cost-effective methods can extend the life of a highway by many years as Patrick smith reports Highways are expensive assets to construct, and the wear and tear of modern traffic means that regular maintenance will delay costly repairs or in extreme cases reconstruction. There are a number of methods of carrying out such maintenance, and these include the use of slurry seals and micro-surfacing, which are cold mixed asphalt which is a mixture of graded aggregate, asphalt emul

The UK's world-renowned TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) is celebrating its 75th birthday this year, and the objective of its work has not changed In 1938 Richard Stradling, director, wrote that "the objective of all the research work at RRL [now TRL] is to accumulate that body of scientific knowledge which is an essential factor in the economical and efficient construction and maintenance of our roads. Practical application of the results must be the aim throughout." While TRL's remit today is far more

The EU funded SILENCE project maps the transport causes and possible solutions for reducing noise, reports Alan Peterson With Europe's ever-increasing population growth, the issue of noise for its 100 million citizens is becoming a pressing problem. Over 25% are exposed to critical transport-related noise, according to research by the EU funded SILENCE project, which reported its findings in Germany in May. The purpose of SILENCE is to develop an integrated methodology and technology for the improved contro

Speakers at the 3rd European Road Congress looked at ways of preparing infrastructure to cater for future demands. Patrick Smith reports Road accidents in Europe can be reduced substantially, but vehicles will have to make more use of technology, and they will cost more. The problems will not be made any easier with the knowledge that road transport is set to double between 2040 and 2050. These were just some of the forecasts made at the 3rd European Road Congress, held in Brussels, Belgium, a key road sect

Those who navigate the labyrinth that is the European Union and the numerous trade and research groups will be struck by the number of acronyms. In a short series, EUROFILE gives a snapshot of those engaged in the roads industry. In this issue we look at FEHRL (Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories) based in Brussels, Belgium Established in 1989, FEHRL is made up directors of national research institutes: 30 in all from within the European Union, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) an

New technologies and new partnerships will heighten the rivalry in the compaction sector, Mike Woof reports The competitive compaction equipment market is providing customers with a broad and growing array of innovative technologies and solutions. At the same time, many firms are looking to increase market share through reorganisation of their operations and developing new international partnerships. This sector of the equipment market is certainly now more competitive, with major brands like Bomag, Caterpi