Features

Manufacturers are rolling out sophisticated machines for the European, North American and Japanese markets - Mike Woof reports. This year has been a pivotal period for the development of advanced, low emission earthmoving machines. During 2011 an array of manufacturers have introduced new models designed to comply with the latest Stage IIIB/Tier 4 Interim emissions regulations introduced for

IRF Geneva's Innovation Award for Road Transport in Developing Countries (InARoaD) proved a showcase for initiatives that are having a real impact on global efforts to fight poverty by opening rural access, including this inspirational project from Nepal

A high-tech European project involving cars could reduce fuel consumption by up to one-fifth as Patrick Smith reports. A new EU project, Sartre, is aimed at developing and testing technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on motorways.

With traffic flows on the increase, Serbia needs to improve its road network and safety record, reports Gordon Feller. Serbia's road network needs to upgrade its road system against the backdrop of increased traffic flows. Serbia is crossed by segments of the important Trans European network (TEN). Corridor X with its branches Xb (Belgrade-Budapest) Xc (Nis-Sofia), and Xd (Nis-Presevo), represent the most important transit routes in the Republic, connecting Austria/Hungary, Slovenia/Croatia, and Bulgaria/Ma

Mobility is essential for prosperity. How the transport industry will respond to future needs was debated by ERTRAC How will we travel in 2030? That question was posed in a debate on future scenarios of road transport during the launch of the 'Road Transport futures 2030 initiative,' organised in Brussels recently by ERTRAC (the European Road Transport Research Advisory Council).

Big increases in traffic mean that today highways are under greater pressure than ever, and materials have to perform to increasingly higher standards. Modern highways, particularly in and around major cities, are tested like never before, and it is essential that surfaces are built to withstand increasing traffic.

Several key highway construction innovations will be unveiled at the Intermat show. Road construction technology will form a major part of the Intermat exhibition, with major manufacturers such as Ammann, Bernardi Impianti, Caterpillar, the Fayat Group, GOMACO, Roadtec, Volvo and the Wirtgen Group all unveiling new technologies. Improved roadway performance is vital to ensuring longer life highways, minimised maintenance needs, reduced congestion and improved safety and several new systems will help boost q

The speedy and safe removal of old or unwanted structures is made easier with modern, sophisticated equipment, Patrick Smith reports. The power and versatility of modern demolition tools and machines was demonstrated when a bridge was removed overnight as part of a motorway widening project.

Work on a 39km toll road linking Pemalang with Batang in Indonesia is expected to start in mid-2012, although the finance structure is still being established.