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A new technology developed by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland provides drivers with warnings of black ice on the roads. This automatic detection system will warn a driver in advance that a road is dangerous due to the presence of ice. According to VTT, this uses a novel, real-time method of obtaining information on road surface friction and employs data collected from the car’s in-built sensors. This compares the speeds of the drive shafts and axles in an array of driving conditions, with an al

Germany intends to refurbish or replace at least 300 road bridges between now and 2020. It’s reported that this will result in costs of between US$ 4.81 billion (€3.60bn) and $8.92 billion (€6.7bn), based on 2010 prices. Many of the bridges affected are from the 1960s to 1980s and thought no longer suitable for the heavy transport traffic of today. Another claimed factor behind the necessity for the multi-billion dollar investment is that damage resulting from global warming was not taken into account when

A further US$ 9 billion is required to complete the development of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), according to the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand. The new investment will cover development of roads, special economic zones, border towns, ports and facilities at important checkpoints in the GMS’s six states of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Yunnan Province of China. The North-South Economic Corridor's transport network will, it’s reported, be confirmed onc

The government of Qatar is set to award more than 30 road projects costing a combined US$27.5 billion in 2013, as the country continues to prepare to host the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2022. The upcoming Qatar Projects 2013 conference will discuss details of potential contracts, and the event will feature owners, stakeholders and contractors in the country's project sector. Conference topics include reducing costs for workforce, materials and resources as well as raising efficiencies and transparency in

The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has been awarded a key Saudi Arabia Trade Mission by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to enhance Saudi construction and mining equipment supply chains with UK manufacturers. The Trade Mission will also focus on opportunities to develop skills, training and education in the construction and mining sectors in Saudi Arabia. Also working on behalf of the British Embassy and Consulates in Saudi Arabia, the CEA trade mission between 16th and 20th March 2013 includes a top-

The Tulsa Port of Catoosa has opened a new bulk salt storage facility for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the United States. Erected by Legacy Building Solutions, the massive tension fabric structure provides 45,359tonnes (50,000tons) of storage capacity for roadway deicing salt, nearly doubling ODOT’s available storage across the state. “ODOT will distribute the salt stored at this new location to maintenance distribution sheds ahead of impending snow or ice events during the winter,” s

The new urban tunnel project under construction at Maastricht in the Netherlands will benefit from EU for key safety features. The European Union will provide co-financing of €5 million from the TEN-T Programme to install safety provisions for the on-going implementation of Maastricht’s E25/A2 urban highway tunnel. The work will help ensure the link features high standards of tunnel safety and security and meets the EU’s tough legislation. The project was selected for funding under the 2011 TEN-T Annual Cal

Human error causes nine in ten truck accidents in Sweden, a report by Volvo Trucks claims. Many accidents are said to be due to lack of attention and misjudgements of speed, while only 0.5% of accidents involve drink-driving truck drivers. Meanwhile 25% of all fatal bicycle accidents in Sweden between 2008 and 2011 involved a truck or bus, according to figures released by the insurance firm If. The company hopes the study can be used to increase awareness about how different road users should behave in traf

Manufacturers in Brazil are discouraged from investing in electric vehicles due to unfavourable environmental and market conditions, a study claims. Research by Maksen, through a partnership with Insper and Lisbon MBA, states that even though production costs keep decreasing, it is estimated that until 2020 electric engines will cost two times more than traditional fuel combustion engines. According to Deloitte, 65% of Brazilian consumers will only consider investing in electric vehicles if their price is s

Tolling rights for the next 50 years for the third road tunnel in Brisbane, Australia are being sought by the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). QIC's Queensland Motorways are reported to have entered into exclusive talks with the Brisbane City Council about tolling rights for the Legacy Way toll road tunnel in the western suburbs of Brisbane. Under the deal, tolling rights for the Go-Between inner-city traffic toll bridge will also be taken over by Queensland Motorways. The US$1.58 billion (AUD 1.50b

The Indian government has announced plans to build a six-lane expressway between Ludhiana in Punjab and New Delhi. Road Transport and Highways Minister CP Joshi said the states of Delhi, Haryana and Punjab gave an in-principle approval for the construction of the 357km long expressway. The Delhi to Ludhiana stretch will be 266km, while a spur of 91km will be built to Chandigarh. Joshi further stated his Ministry will seek an approval from the Cabinet after the completion of a detailed project report. PwD Se

A US$250 million loan has been agreed for a huge motorway upgrade scheme in southern Brazil. The loan from the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) means a total of $319.47 million (BRL 650mn) is now available for the Pacto por Santa Catarina programme. The 25-year deal includes a 66 month loan grace period. The first phase of the Pacto programme will include an investment of $163.19 million in ten projects covering 222kms. The projects include the construction of new roads as well as asphalting and recov

A new grant from the European Union will help boost the profile for hydrogen as a fuel option for drivers on the TEN-T road network. The European Union is providing some €3.5 million from the TEN-T Programme. The project, taking place in The Netherlands and Denmark with the support of French and Swedish stakeholders, will analyse the current availability of hydrogen at refuelling stations. The work will also propose new strategies to expand the availability of hydrogen as a fuel.

Plans are in hand to upgrade the highway linking Costa Rica’s capital San Jose with Limon, with a project that will be carried out in several phases. The work involves widening and improving Route 32 so that it can carry higher traffic volumes and reduce congestion as well as cutting journey times for drivers. Rebuilding the link is expected to cost in the order of US$435 million and the project is also expected to improve safety standards for users of the highway. The work is being partly financed through