Features

New technologies allow efficient use of recycled asphalt - Mike Woof writes The Eurobitume/Euroasphalt 2012 event in Istanbul earlier this year proved an important event with regard to asphalt recycling innovations. Key developments in this technology were announced, particularly in the field of asphalt production. One of the notable papers came from E-MAK, part of the Turkish Simge Group, which focused on its RATEK system. This technology is designed to use recycled asphalt and can produce greater throughp

Novel crushing and screening developments are coming to market - Mike Woof reports A wide array of innovations and market developments are occurring in the sector for quarrying machinery. New technologies are being introduced while business developments are also changing the face of this market segment. There is strong interest in new technology from industry too and this was well highlighted by data from the organisers of the Hillhead quarry show in the UK. The organisers revealed that there was a jump of

The use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is common practice in many countries. The aged bitumen from RAP has a lower penetration and is more viscous than it was when first mixed. The reclaimed bitumen is generally balanced by the addition of fresh binder softer than the traditional one used to produce hot mixes. However, balancing penetration and softening point or viscosity does not produce an identical bitumen to the original one. One fundamental option is the regeneration of the aged binder in order t

A series of rural road rebuilds have improved transport connections in the Czech Republic, helping to boost connectivity and the local economy The roads around Brandýs nad Labem, some 25km to the southwest of Czech capital Prague are crucial arteries to the rural and agricultural areas of the country. An assessment by regional authorities indicated that these roads are in need of repair. That led to cold planing and paving work on a series of rural roads near Brandýs nad Labem. The regional authorities had

Dual layer paving offers benefits to wear life as well as major cost reductions - Mike Woof reports The concept of laying the binder course and wearing course at the same time is not new to the road construction market. Various contractors have been working on systems over a number of years, with several manufacturers helping directly with these projects. A number of firms have investigated this method but three manufacturers in particular, Dynapac and Vögele in Europe and Sumitomo in Japan, have made major

Plans to upgrade two major roads in Tanzania will bring huge benefits to the East African nation. Shem Oirere reports Tanzania’s bid to retain or improve its position as East Africa’s second largest economy is gaining momentum as the government moves to support the achieved growth and contribute more to ongoing regional economic integration through the improvement of its transport infrastructure. The country received a major boost in April, 2012, when the African Development Bank (AfDB), one of Tanzania lea

The country of Qatar, located on the Persian Gulf, developed a master plan to build a new replacement airport in its capital city of Doha, the New Doha International Airport, in 2003. Its goal is to have a facility capable of handling 50 million passengers; two million tons (1.8million tonnes) of cargo, and 320,000 aircraft landings and take-offs each year by 2015. Phase one of the aggressive project is scheduled for completion early next year. The Tayseeir Contractors Company Joint Venture, including Conso

A mobile crushing solution at an Argentine quarry is said to increase production by 100% Caminos del Mercosur found success in the mid-1990s supplying crushed rock for the construction of new roads. Recently the company has enhanced its reputation as an innovator in aggregates production and supply through the adoption of tracked crushing technology. Based in Posadas, Misiones, Argentina, it says it has modernised its production capabilities through investing in a modern, mobile crusher, the Sandvik supplie

At this time of tight public budgets, performance-based maintenance contracts are gaining traction internationally, with a growing number of transport agencies recognising it as an effective instrument for making investment decisions that minimise risk and lower operating costs of existing and newly constructed highway infrastructure. However, a comprehensive survey conducted across 56 countries by IRF’s Asset Management Committee has revealed that progress is uneven. A majority of survey respondents indic

IRF once more broke ground by gathering over 600 regional transport officials for the world's first comprehensive review of sustainable transport solutions in the context of the Andean Region. Lima, Peru, an important regional crossroads for trade and a hub for engineering know-how, offered an ideal backdrop for the Congress. The event offered a comprehensive panorama of design, construction, and maintenance solutions adapted to the region's exceptionally complex topography. Geological and climatic conside

The latest in the series of major road safety conferences hosted by IRF’s India Chapter will take place in New Delhi from 1-2 November 2012, with the focus on Urban and Rural Roads Each day, thousands of people are injured or killed on roads around the world. According to the World Bank, “the social and economic losses from road deaths and injuries in low and middle-income countries are projected to be on a catastrophic scale. . .” Globally, road injuries and deaths are due to a number of factors. This unde