News

In India work is now kicking off on a new eight lane highway running from Nariman Point to Kandivali in Mumbai. The 35km highway will cost a projected US$1.58 billion to build.

Traffic technology company Siemens has launched a new low-cost coating for traffic controllers and signals which provides lasting protection against dirt and acts as an anti-graffiti barrier, making it difficult to attach posters or write on the protected surface.

Intelligent Energy, a specialist in clean power systems, and the Suzuki Motor Corporation have announced the creation of a joint venture company called Smile FC System Corporation, to develop and manufacture air-cooled fuel cell systems for a range of industry sectors.

Nissan North America, leading power and technology group ABB, along with 4R Energy and Sumitomo Corporation of America, have formed a partnership to evaluate the reuse of lithium-ion battery packs that power the Nissan Leaf.

Morocco’s highway network continues to improve and develop, with new sections and connections being opened.

A low level of investment in improvements and upgrades to Germany’s highway network is causing concern in the country’s transport sector. Some states have revealed a backlog of works needing to be carried out, with road surfaces now reaching the end of their design life and bridges requiring replacement in different parts of the country. Transport groups say that continuing low road maintenance budgets will further exacerbate the problem.

Australian toll-road owner and investor, Transurban, said its “true defensive nature” appeal to investors had enabled it to achieve a 27.1% increase in net profit.

Komatsu said commercial availability of hybrid technology for the European construction equipment market is now available, in the guise of the Hybrid HB215LC-1 excavator. As a second-generation hybrid excavator, the HB215LC-1 replaces the PC200-8 Hybrid with an operating weight of 21tonnes and bucket sizes ranging from 0.8-1.05m3.

MIT has been selected to lead the US Department of Transportation Research & Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) University Transportation Center (UTC) for the New England Region. The programme strives to advance research and education programmes that address critical transportation challenges.

Hamm is launching a range of compaction equipment at Intermat. Alongside the 20tonne H20i with its stage IIIB 160kW six-cylinder diesel engine and diesel particulate filter are the HD+ series of tandem rollers. There are 12 models in the new HD+ series from nine to 15 tonnes. The range includes vibration, oscillation and combination rollers as well as models with split drums.

Aberdeen City Council in Scotland has approved plans that will introduce a dozen hydrogen-powered buses to the city's services.

With a bucket capacity of two cubic metres, the DL200-3 is another in the Doosan line that benefits from a stage IIIB emissions compliant engine. And with it, Doosan has taken the opportunity to freshen up the 12,200kg loader. In addition to the 118kW DL06 engine, the loader gets a new cab offering better visibility, a revised hydraulic system with load sensing, and ZF axles with limited slip differentials.