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The average social cost of each New Zealand road accident death is $3.75 million (NZD 4.54 million), according to an estimation by the New Zealand ministry of transport (MOT) The New Zealand MOT also estimates that the average cost of serious injuries due to road accidents is $392,989 (NZD 473,600) per person. The social costs include financial and non-financial costs of accidents such as property damage, medical and legal expenses as well as loss of quality of life. The number of road accidents in New Ze

Ambitious plans to build the Malacca Straits bridge in Malaysia’s Malacca state have received a boost from a senior Danish diplomat. After meeting with Denmark's ambassador to Malaysia Nicolai Ruge, who said that his country had the engineering capacity and expertise to deliver the project, Malacca state’s chief minister, Idris Haron, said that it was possible the planned structure over the Malacca Straits could proceed. The idea of the 48.69km bridge – which would link Teluk Gong in Malacca with Dumai in

The Government of Qatar is reportedly near to agreeing deals for delivering a number of vital road transport and other infrastructure projects worth a combined US$12.36 billion (QAR 45 billion). Seven major expressways, other road development and repair projects, and key sewage infrastructure works make up the planned projects’ package. The expressway projects will have a combined road length of 900km, subways, flyovers and 240 major interchanges. In addition, the expressway projects will also include a h

Romania’s national roads company has plans for work to start on some 400km of new highways in 2014. This is expected to cost in the order of €5.8 billion. The three key projects will be the €1.2 billion Comarnic-Brasov highway, the Craiova-Pitesti highway and the southern beltway in Bucharest. In all the three projects will cost €5 billion and will extend for 230km.

A Japanese infrastructure loan will help find major highway projects in Mozambique. The agreement for the loan has been made between the governments of Japan and Mozambique. The US$572.3 million loan will be used to widen and upgrade several existing routes as well as to build new highways. This will help Mozambique capitalise on development of its resources.

Eric Lepine, general manager of Caterpillar France SAS in Grenoble, has taken over the presidency of the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE). Lepine replaced Johann Sailer on January 1 2014 and will serve as CECE president over the next two years. The official handover from Sailer, who himself chaired the association for two years, took place in Paris in December on the occasion of the last CECE-Steering Group meeting of the year. During his 26 years of experience in the industry, Lepin

The UK-based GEM Motoring Assist road safety charity has released a video version of its most frequently asked questions in a bid to help drivers stay safe when rain, spray and increasing levels of surface water create potential hazards on their journeys. The video comes as parts of the UK remain on flood alert after heavy rain and strong winds caused havoc earlier this month, particularly in the south of England. Environment Agency teams are still working around the clock monitoring water levels, clearing

The National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) will have its largest presence at any international construction event for 20 years at the Conexpo 2014 show. Live equipment demonstrations, nationally accredited certification examinations, education sessions, and practical examiner training will all be conducted by the Virginia-based non-profit organisation.

IPAF supports the position paper issued by the Fédération Européenne de la Manutention (FEM) Product Group for Cranes and Lifting Equipment, which makes clear that tower cranes are designed and manufactured to lift loads, not people. The paper also highlights that cranes should not be used for entertainment purposes. Such rides will not be permitted at CONEXPO-CON/AGG.

Construction software provider Dexter + Chaney has been selected as the exclusive corporate sponsor of the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014 Quality of Life Campaign. The campaign recognises the construction industry development of well-maintained roads and bridges; upgraded and improved facilities for transit and other services.

The Conexpo organisers are offering a comprehensive education programme at the exhibition, as well as at its partner IFPE 2014 event. In addition, more than 95 allied associations and groups are official show supporting organisations, while hundreds of industry meetings and conventions will be held at the shows and key countries for industry business are hosting international exhibit pavilions.