News

Yanmar says that its new SV26 is the first machine from the firm that has been completely designed and constructed in Europe. This short tailswing mini excavator is said to offer high performance, low fuel consumption and good durability.

MOBA says that the modular concept behind its Xsite excavator control system ensures that the package can be used in a wide array of excavator installations and duties. The system can be set up for small or large projects and customers have a choice of a simpler 2D package or a more sophisticated 3D system.

The pavement engineering firm Dynatest has unveiled its new, Fast Falling Weight Deflectometer (FastFWD). The FastFWD enable users to collect pavement structural data faster than ever before.

A bridge being built in Texas has collapsed, killing at least one person according to local news reports. The incident happened on Interstate 35 in the town of Salado, around 80km to the north of the city of Austin. Local news suggests that an oversized truck collided with part of the structure, causing the bridge to collapse. As the structure gave way large sections of the bridge fell onto other vehicles, resulting in at least one fatality as well as a number of injuries. The highway has been shut until th

UK capital London is taking further steps to reduce pollution with the introduction of an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ). This will be introduced in central London in 2020 and is intended to improve air quality across the city.

The US-based AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has carried out research revealing shocking figures on young driver distraction. According to video analysis, 58% of moderate-severe crashes involving teenaged drivers in the US include distraction as a causal factor. This figure is around four times than was previously thought based on police reports.

Brazi llooks set to delay a number of key infrastructure projects until 2016. The Brazilian Federal Government's planned transport sector concession tenders will see investments close to US$46.58 billion in all. But these will be pushed back to 2016 due to the difficulty of launching all auctions in 2015 due to technical, economic and political limits. The tenders are revised versions of those promised previously. However only the airport tenders having been launched with success. Due to revisions in the pl

The Kenyan Government is opting to privatise the construction and maintenance of several of its major highways. This change in policy will be introduced over the next two years. The main reason for the switch is that country has an annual infrastructure financing gap of some US$22 billion. The lack of funds available has meant that the Kenyan Government has only been able to allocate a mere $22 million/year for road maintenance. In addition to that, the government will at pave least 10,000km of roads over n

Spain's Ministry for Works, has announced plans for €670 million worth of road works to be carried out in the Valencia Region. Of this sum, over €265 million will be spent in Alicante Province. The programme of works will develop the road network in the region, strengthening its economic potential and improving the lives of its residents. The first stretch of the Ronda Sur road project has already been opened, which will improve connections between Alicante and the region of Murcia.

A move by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in the US could help reduce the risks of drink driving in the country. The NHTSA is working with a group of major automakers (the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety) and this has resulted in the establishment of the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS). The aim is to develop devices that can detect and prevent drunk driving by the use of infrared breath analysis or biometric readings using fingerprints. The technology is

A key agreement has been reached between the Pakistan Government and the Chinese Government with regard to the new route linking the two countries. The two governments have agreed on the need to speed up work to construct the Pak-China Economic Corridor (PCEC). This major road project looks likely to cost as much as USD45.6 billion. Both countries intend to complete the majority of the work needed within five years. The joint cooperation committee for PCEC will run more meetings to discuss the project and t

The Nepalese Government is to receive a loan from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for a key tunnel project. The JICA loan is being offered at an interest rate of 1% for the next 40 years. The project is expected to cost in the region of US$150.1 million to construct. The new link will reduce traffic congestion on the existing Nagdhunga-Thankot road. Work is expected to commence in the next 18 months. The survey for the 2.5km tunnel has been carried out by the Department of Roads.

The European Commissioner of Transport, Violeta Bulc, has announced EU road safety statistics for 2014 that give some cause for concern. In 2014 there were a total of 25,700 road deaths across all 28 Member States of the EU. Road fatality figures differ widely among Member States. The figures indicate only a 1% improvement since last year, meaning that significantly more effort will be needed from Member State governments in order to reach the Commission's goal to halve the number of road deaths between 201

The EC has given its approval for funding to construct the section of the D1 highway that will connect Hubova with Ivachnova. The EC will provide €169.2 million for the project. In all the 15.3km section of the highway will cost €227.26 million to construct, with the remainder being provided by the state budget. The construction is being carried out by a consortium combining Czech company OHL ZS and Slovak firm Vahostav SK. The work is now underway and the highway is expected to be open to traffic by June 2