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Bosch and PSA Peugeot Citroën are now working on a hydraulic hybrid powertrain for passenger cars. The system features two hydraulic units linked to pressure accumulators. Using this technology the vehicle can be driven using the conventional power source, hydraulically or by a combination of the two. Under low load, the internal-combustion engine can be run at a more economical operating status. When braking, kinetic energy is converted into hydraulic energy and stored in the pressure accumulator, which ca

Brazilian road and transport concessionaire CCR has begun studies with a view to taking part in various infrastructure projects in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo. It is reported that the group is interested in state road projects and intercity/regional railroads, as well as more metro lines. CCR says it is also following transport opportunities in Rio de Janeiro and airport concessions for Galeao (Rio de Janeiro) and Cofins (Minas Gerais).

The estimated maintenance and repair cost for Norway’s county roads has doubled to US$7.18 billion [NOK 40bn]. In 2010, the Norwegian Government transferred the responsibility of 44,000kms of roads to counties, while the state kept 10,000kms of trunk roads. At that time, the need for maintenance and repair of the 'new' county roads was estimated at around from $3.59 billion [NOK 20bn]. Head of the transport committee of Møre og Romsdal Oddbjørn Vatne says the program for the road maintenance has to be worke

In Vietnam work is progressing steadily on the new Ca Pass Tunnel project. The 13.4km tunnel will connect Khanh Khoa Province with Phu Yen Province. The new tunnel connection is being constructed under the build-own-transfer (BOT) model and is scheduled to open for traffic in 2016. This new link will also include 9km of bridges and access roads. Some US$192 million of credit for the project is being provided to Ca Pass Investment by Goldman Sachs, Societe Generale (SocGen) and Crédit Agricole Corporate and

German company Ubitricity has developed a concept which allows for the recharging of electric vehicles at street lamps. Local authorities in Berlin, where Ubitricity is based, are said to be not averse to the idea of converting hundreds of street lamps to charging points. Ubitricity's concept provides for the integration of a counting system into an intelligent charging cable. This counting system contacts a control centre via mobile radio. The control centre registers after every charging where and how muc

The Volgograd region (South) authorities will allot over US$231 million (RUB 7bn) for roads in 2013. A total of $82.64 million will be provided for construction, about $92.56 million for repairing and maintaining regional road facilities.

Work is now underway to set up the tolling system for Algeria’s East-West highway. The project is costing US$1.29 billion and will be carried out by three different consortia, owing mainly to the length of the route. Work for the eastern stretch of the highway will be carried out by a consortium comprising the Italian groups CMC, Proger, Cordioli & C, Ducati Italia and Tecnositaf, and the Algerian groups Rotahem and Imet. This will cost some $378.5 million. Meanwhile the work for the western stretch of the

An innovative project in the UK is aimed at replicating photosynthesis in a bid to produce biofuels. This project is being carried out by a team at the University of East Anglia (UEA), with assistance from the University of Cambridge and the University of Leeds. The intention is to find a simple and efficient process for producing hydrogen, with funding coming from the UK’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences research council. The hydrogen produced using this technology then be used either as a fuel for i