Highway & Network Management

The Australian Government is on track with its US$37 billion (A$42 billion) stimulus plan, announced in January 2009. The country's Federal Government has approved over 49,000 infrastructure and construction projects in all, including a number of key highway projects.

The novel Tuff Curb system developed in the US offers a durable, high performance separator kerb product. The TuffCurb system can be used in conjunction with the range of spring-mounted posts and signs from Impact Recovery Systems. Highly versatile this kerbing system is said to be easy to install and can be used for curves, medians, edge lines, work zones and rail crossings.

GERMAN COMPANY Rud is introducing its Barriertech system, which it says is capable of stopping rocks, slides and avalanches. "Barriertech can protect highways and rail tracks from stray boulders and 'catch' landslides and avalanches before they can overwhelm the terrain and structures in their path," says the company. "Whether natural occurrences or man-made, rock falls, landslides and avalanches can be sudden and catastrophic for people and property. "No wonder that across the world, much time, money and e

Skanska is preferred bidder to develop the Antofagasta Toll Road in Chile under a PPP model. The firm has beaten tough competition for this project and says it will not require government subsidies for the work, which is due to commence in 2011.

A simple new solar-powered, selfcontained data collection option is available from Clearview Traffic, which offers an innovative solution for vehicle counting on a wide range of roads. The M210 solar powered logging stud offers an alternative to the traditional single loop site by providing count information in a simple, self contained unit. Clearview Traffic has combined its expertise with a range of technologies including solar power, radio communications and magnetometer based vehicle detection. The M210

Iran's congested capital Tehran is now benefiting from a new underground road tunnel that carries traffic under the city.

Iraqi capital Baghdad looks to benefit from a series of key road improvement works. A budget of nearly US$69 million has been allotted by the central government for the work.

Work on the Interoceanica Norte (IIRSA Norte) highway in Peru is due for completion at the end of 2010. The project is requiring a total investment of US$320 million.

Nottingham city in central England has upgraded its Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system to PC SCOOT, supplied and installed by Siemens, to further improve the management of the traffic network around the city. PC SCOOT will initially monitor over 450 junctions and all major routes within Nottingham, with the aim of reducing congestion and CO2 emissions and improving journey times.