News

Fugro Aperio collected and processed data from up to 7,000km lanes of English trunk roads as part of a just completed Traffic Speed Structural Survey (TRASS) contract. The work, commissioned by TRL on behalf of the Highways Agency (HA), saw the Cambridge-based survey specialist gain information using the HA’s Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD). The innovative TSD technology uses Doppler lasers to measure the speed at which the pavement deflects in response to load. The non-contact IT allows surveys to be con

Not all drivers are aware of height restrictions

The authorities in Chile plan to invest some US$500 million for improving the road links within capital Santiago. The work will focus on the east of the fast growing city and includes eight separate projects intended to ease traffic congestion, with the first due to commence in October 2012. The projects include a tunnel under Mapoco river connecting Costanera Norte and the Central motorway, two new bridges over Manquehue and Kennedy avenue and works on La Concepcion exit. The Perez Zujovic roundabout will

Mineral Products Association (MPA) results for the first quarter of 2012 indicate a substantial reduction in sales of aggregates, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt, confirming new GDP figures showing that declining construction activity has triggered the UK’s latest recession. Compared with the same period of 2011, sales volumes of crushed rock and sand and gravel aggregates declined by 13% and 12% respectively in the first three months of 2012, and sales volumes of ready-mixed concrete and asphalt fell by 9

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has granted a €150million sovereign-guaranteed loan for the construction of part of the new Banja Luka–Doboj motorway in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The loan-targeted motorway section is the main east–est link in Republika Srpska, one of the country’s entities. The EBRD said that it will also support the preparation of the first public–private partnership (PPP) project for the main north–south link in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Doboj to Vukosavlje seg

The new eastern bypass for Khabarovsk in Russia is being discussed by the local authorities. The 30km highway will feature four lanes and will connect the Chita–Khabarovsk (M-58) and Khabarovsk–Vladivostok (M-60) highways. It will also link with roads in the city at nine interchanges. The highway will have a speed limit of 140km/h. The project will be run on a public–private partnership basis and will cost US$540million. The government will provide 20–25% of the finances required, with the rest coming from

In Albania the government is giving its approval for an €80million (US$104.4million) loan being provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB). The project is for the Fier bypass, which forms part of the Tirana–Vlora highway. The project has faced a series of delays since work commenced a number of years ago. However, this new funding will help ensure that the work is completed.

In the Czech Republic the road authorities are looking to address quality issues that have caused problems on the country’s roads and highways. The Czech Roads and Motorways Directorate (RSD) plans to check the quality of highways using vehicle-mounted scanning laser technology. This will allow RSD to launch repairs before potholes are formed.

AECOM’s UK transport team has been selected to develop a masterplan for the Romanian national transport system. An assessment of the short, medium and long-term outlook for the country’s transport system will form part of the masterplan. It will also contain sustainability-conscious infrastructure and policy recommendations for all transport modes.

Halcrow has been appointed by Transport Scotland to develop a bridge operating company contract to manage and maintain the new Forth Replacement Crossing and the existing Forth Road Bridge. The £1.6million commission, won in the face of stiff competition under Transport Scotland’s multiple framework agreement, runs to December 2014. “Halcrow’s proven expertise as a client advisor helped us to deliver a winning proposition that targeted our client’s needs,” said Donald Bell, Halcrow’s client manager. “Our ro

The latest official figures on road safety in Europe are giving cause for concern, with data showing that casualty reduction has slowed. EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas recently announced disappointing progress in casualty reduction on Europe's roads. The joint European police association, TISPOL, has added that it is also concerned that improvements in cutting fatalities on Europe’s roads significantly slowed in 2011. The overall figure shows a reduction of just 2% in the total number of people kille

LiuGong Machinery Corporation has officially opened its European headquarters in Almere, Netherlands. The near 4,000m² site is situated about 35km from Amsterdam and is said to have convenient access to European cities via air, sea and highway. The European headquarters will serve as the Chinese firm’s sales hub, technical support and spare parts distribution centre for existing and potential customers. “This new office will strengthen our presence as a top construction equipment manufacturer brand, and to

A key stage in improving the UK’s road safety has been achieved with the establishment of a new Road Safety Audit Certificate of Competency. The move sees the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) & the Society of Road Safety Auditors (SoRSA) are to award this Road Safety Audit Certificate of Competency on behalf of the Highways Agency (HA). EC Directives will require at least one member of a Road Safety Audit Team to hold a Certificate of Competency (CoC) when undertaking a Road Safety