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A new move by the UK Government is intended to improve safety at rail crossings following a number of fatal crashes. The Transport Select Committee will hold an inquiry into the safety of the UK’s 8,000 level crossings. This move has been welcomed by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), which earlier called for the review. This move was one of seven recommendations among 113 put to the Transport Select Committee to be taken forward for its programme of activity into 2014. David D

The American Road & Transportation Builders Association Transportation Development Foundation (ARTBA-TDF) is accepting nominations for its 2013 Roadway Work Zone Safety Awareness Awards and Contractor Safety Awards. These recognise the best successes of public and private-sector organisations involved in building the US transportation network.

Over the next 17 years, China will invest US$766.15 billion (CNY 4.70tn) to expand the country's major road network by over two times. By 2030, the length of roads in China is expected to total 5.8 million kilometres, with trunk ways and highways making up 7% of the total. Provincial and countryside roads are expected to account for 9% and 84% respectively. According to a road expansion blueprint approved in May 2013 by the State Council, the length of toll-free trunk ways and toll highways should by 2030 i

A total of US$5.5 billion has been allocated for bridges repair under a new bill introduced by democratic transport leaders led by Nick J Rahall. To date, there are over 150,000 structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges across the US, according to the US Department of Transportation. Figures showed that a quarter of bridges in the country fall into one of the two categories, with 26.7%, 27.7% and 77.4% of bridges in Virginia, Maryland and Washington falling under one of the two categories resp

The state government of New South Wales, Australia will ask the private sector to contribute to the funding of the 33km WestConnex road project. While initial sections of the road will be financed by the state government, its following phase will be financed by the private sector. For the project, a total of US$1.66 billion (AUD 1.8bn) will be allocated by the state government over a four-year period. Of the total, $102.22 million (AUD 111mn) will be spent in 2013-2014. The development was mentioned by Trea

Double yellow lines signify an area where parking is not allowed at any time on a UK road.

A Portuguese contractor will build the new highway connecting Venezuelan capital Caracas with the city of La Guaria. The project is expected to cost some US$4.4 billion in all. The new highway will feature three lanes in either direction for much of its length. The project includes building some 9km of tunnels as well as 4km of viaducts and its construction will be to a strict timescale, all of which presents a number of challenges to the builder.

Plans are progressing with regard to the Agua Negra tunnel that will connect Argentina and Chile and is expected to cost in excess of US$850 million. The authorities in San Juan province are calling for proposals to construct the tunnel and have published the terms and conditions for the tender. Those interested in the project will have to submit their proposals before 4th October 2013. A number of companies have shown an interest in the project including firms from Brazil, China, Germany, South Korea, Swit

A truck driver in Norway made a classic mistake when overtaking another vehicle on a blind corner. Luckily no-one was hurt. But as this in-car footage from a Norwegian police vehicle shows, the consequences could have been disastrous. The Norwegian authorities are tough on driving offences and the truck driver will be having good reason to think long and hard about this very careless manoeuvre. This video was made available to World Highways through pan-European police body TISPOL.

Ecuador’s shocking high road fatality rate is giving cause for concern. Official statistics compiled by the World Health Organisation (WHO) suggest that Ecuador is second only to Venezuela in Latin America with regard to fatalities on the road network. The WHO figures show that Ecuador has an average of 28 deaths/100,000 inhabitants from road crashes, well above the global average of 18 deaths/100,000 inhabitants. Only Venezuela’s even more startling figure of 37 deaths/100,000 inhabitants is higher in Lati

Chinese firms Geely Automotive and Kandi have jointly developed an all-electric vehicle. The JL7001BEV model has won official approval from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. This is of note as it means Chinese buyers of the vehicle will be able to benefit from several national and local subsidies and incentives for EVs. The new JL7001BEV model is among those on the lists of Approved Vehicles. The Chinese authorities are keen to encourage customers to buy more electric vehicles in a bi

Portuguese construction company Teixeira Duarte has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Venezuela Government formalising the commitment to build the new US$4.4 billion motorway linking Caracas - La Guaria. Of the overall 19km-long motorway link, 9km will be through road tunnels, while another 4km will be built in viaducts with three lanes in each direction. The works should be completed in 54 months. Teixeira Duarte also submitted a technical and economic proposal for the development of another fo