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Passengers in hybrid-powered cars are about 25% less likely to be injured in a crash than those in their conventional-powered counterparts, according to research released by the Highway Loss Data Institute, which claims that the additional weight of the hybrid engine adds an extra layer of safety over similar, non-hybrid cars. Cars with hybrid engines typically weigh about 10% more than their conventionally-powered twins.

Construction work is now underway on a massive highway project at Wuhan in China. The US$5.5 billion project is due for completion on 2015 and involves the construction of a four ring highway with a total length of 146km. The highway project is being designed with six traffic lanes in either direction and will have a speed limit of 100km/h.

ASECAP has welcomed the adoption of the European Parliament and the Council of the proposal for a directive on intelligent transport systems (ITS), laying down the framework for the deployment of ITS in the field of road transport and for interfaces with other transport modes. “Intelligent transport systems are essential applications for motorway operators to strengthen the efficiency of their networks, to increase safety and to permanently improve the level of service provided to the European citizens,” s

Contractor Mostotrest has finished work on its US$114 million (€88.5 million) project to rebuild the Krestovsky overpasses over the Moscow and Oktyabrskaya railways at Prospect Mira, Moscow. The link is a vital one for Russian’s capital as it is one of the key urban routes linking the Yaroslavskoye Highway with the centre of Moscow. The company started work on the project in 2007 on the decision of the Moscow authorities for CJSC Administration of Capital Development, Utilities, Buildings and Roads (UKSIK

Chilean capital Santiago looks set for traffic gridlock unless major steps are taken. Research predicts that the city will suffer traffic chaos by 2030 due to a rapid expansion in vehicle numbers. Vehicles are being sold at a rate of over 900/day and by 2030, congestion is forecast to reach levels similar to those seen in Latin American cities such as Mexico City, Caracas and Sao Paulo, all of which are notorious for their frequent traffic jams. Currently, there are over 1.3 million vehicles traversing Sant

Albania’s Ministry of Transportation has announced that the northern part of the Thirre Tunnel on the Rreshen-Kalimash Highway is due for completion in October. The 170km motorway linking Albania and Kosovo is estimated to be worth €1 billion although the real costs have not been officially revealed.

The UK’s motorists are facing increased congestion and longer delays due to a steady increase in vehicle numbers combined with reduced spending on transport infrastructure. A report by the RAC Foundation warns that there will be 4,000,000 more cars on the UK’s roads in the next 25 years, while the UK’s Government has not explained what plans it has to cope with the projected increase in traffic. The report predicts a 43% rise in traffic volume by 2035, with the biggest increase in the East Midlands. The fou

The UK’s Royal Automobile Club (RAC) Foundation charity has said that the country’s motorists will face road user charging in the future to avoid traffic gridlock. According to director Professor Stephen Glaister, population growth and further economic gains will result in traffic volumes expanding 33% by 2025. With UK government spending on roads being cut, the charity warns that a new strategy will have to be found.

Caterpillar and Wacker Neuson of Munich, Germany have signed an alliance agreement for the design, manufacture, sale and support of Caterpillar mini hydraulic excavators in the under 3tonne category. The alliance agreement calls for Wacker Neuson to leverage its manufacturing and product development capability to produce the Caterpillar mini hydraulic excavators at its production plant in Linz, Austria. Caterpillar currently offers three models in this size range, and the machines will be produced to Cate

More than 500 million people worldwide watched the first Formula 1 motor race in India's history. The drivers were thrilled by the new asphalt circuit with its numerous bends and the peripheral area around the new race track at Greater Noida near the capital New Delhi, which were built by machinery from German company Vögele (a member of the Wirtgen Group).

Private sector companies in the UK are preparing to aid local authorities deal with the effects of government spending cuts on roads. Mike Notman, outgoing chairman of the UK's top trade body for road maintenance, Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA), has warned that repairs and improvements to the nation's roads is an easy target for the coalition government, and claimed that private sector companies could reduce costs by as much as 15%.

Deere & Company plans to build two new factories in Brazil to meet growing market demand for its construction equipment products in Brazil and other South American countries. The total investment is approximately US$180 million with Deere investing approximately $124 million of the total.

Poland’s government plans to boost highways spending in 2011 with a budget of €8.72 billion, an increase of €3.73 billion over the budget set for 2010. However, there is some scepticism as to how such a substantial sum will be found, especially given the spending restrictions the country is already seeing.