Features

The use of advanced control technology help boost the percentage of roads built using concrete - Mike Woof reports New technologies mean that concrete offers a highly competitive option for road construction.

The need to maximise road performance and cut costs has resulted in Indonesian contractors being keen to adopt cold recycling methods

BP Bitumen has launched its new SafetyFirst initiative using "some best in class industry practices" to help its partners better understand some of the main hazards associated with bitumen storage and handling. The bitumen industry has worked hard at improving safety and has achieved significant results. "But we still need to be more vigilant: we want to ensure that our plant employees, and customer employees as well as third party employees, are sustaining continuous personal development, utilising best pr

A wide variety of products are available to help bridge owners reduce the need for costly repairs. Bridges are one of the most expensive structures on a highway system, and their maintenance, and where necessary, repair will save millions over time. Prevention being better than cure means that anything that can be done to reduce the need for repair is a good investment. For example, a MOOG bucket-type inspection unit has been commissioned for the Naini Bridge in Allahabad in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Indi

Spanish company DITECPESA has developed, manufactured and sold asphalt products since 1988, and has grown steadily due to the supply and quality of its services, the extension of its product range, and the use of applied research projects.

A road project in Utah has benefited from the use of effective barrier protection during construction. *Paul Grant reports An upgraded section of road from 3500 South in West Valley City, Utah, is now open to traffic. The link was completely rebuilt by Utah DoT (UDOT) from the Bangerter Highway to 2700 West, and the road carries traffic from West Valley toward downtown Salt Lake City and the University of Utah. The work added two centre lanes, which are now the first dedicated Bus Rapid Transit lanes in Uta

Choosing the correct high performance binder material for use in asphalt applications has been made easier following a product rebranding exercise by one company. Awareness among highway maintenance contractors of the benefits of selecting polymer modified bitumens when specifying road surfacing materials has risen markedly in the last few years.

Soil compaction BOMAG is pushing technological boundaries in the soil compaction sector with the market introduction of its giant 32tonne machines, which was shown in prototype/concept form at bauma in 2007. According to the firm the concept model attracted considerable interest and the company opted to develop the unit for series production. The new BW332 single drum roller is now the heaviest such machine on the market.

A lane separation system from Pexco is guiding more than 6,000 vehicles each day through changing traffic patterns.

The new ZRM 6014 road marking retroreflectometer from Zehntner is said to incorporate five innovations in one go: telescope handle and wheels as standard, colour touch display, camera, level meter and compass.

Using the latest paving technology has allowed contractors to carry out difficult projects Contractors in Germany and Italy have been able to carry out very difficult asphalt paving applications, using the latest machines from Vögele and Volvo Construction Equipment respectively. In both instances these projects benefited greatly from the use of the latest generation equipment and it is debatable as to whether such high quality results could have been achieved with older machines.

Road markings and raised pavements markers (RPMs) are important tools in securing efficient and safe traffic flow, and the high visibility of both is an important task in road maintenance, says DELTA.

High performance markings are among the safety products used to guide traffic safely, but they must be tested and checked. Patrick Smith reports. Road construction zones, zebra crossings, tunnels and areas with frequent fog are particular focal points with regard to road user safety. This is why manufacturers, authorities and contractors are always eager to use innovative road markings and special studs or, where necessary, lane control devices to assist both drivers and pedestrians in all conditions, parti

This year has seen a wide array of innovative additions to the asphalt paving market - Mike Woof reports. The worldwide asphalt paving market is both competitive and complex, with an array of important players jostling for position. At the same time, paving controls have taken a great leap forward with the development of accurate 3D systems that can use a combination of laser and GPS positioning. Leica Geosystems, Topcon and Trimble have all introduced new packages for the asphalt paving sector and these