News

reVUE, a Manchester, UK-based risk management company providing evidence based driver intervention training, has published a White Paper on the impact of combining technology and behavioural coaching to reduce risk on Britain’s roads. The firm recently commissioned a research project which produced encouraging findings in relation to the impact of an in-vehicle recording device on improving driver behaviour. This was said to be particularly prevalent when implemented with a corresponding coaching intervent

A series of key developments will boost the market presence of the electric vehicle worldwide. China is particular looks set to develop its presence in the sector, partly in a bid to reduce the country’s urban pollution problems. A new electric vehicle developed in partnership between Daimler Benz and Chinese firm BYD Automotive looks set to be launched in September 2014. The DENZA model has been developed outside of Germany to meet market needs for China. Customers for the vehicle will benefit from subsidi

Organisers of the 5th edition of the Transport Research Arena (TRA), Europe's largest conference on transport research and innovation, say the event attracted record attendance levels. Held at CNIT in Paris 14-17 April 2014, the event drew almost 3,000 visitors from 56 countries. Over 130 sessions, 650 presentations, 15 associated events and 1,000m² of exhibitions welcomed researchers and industrial and public policy players. They came together to examine their ideas about our society's changing transpor

Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas has said that Cummins Tier 4 Final engines will make their appearance in Hyundai machines in the “near future.” The news follows both companies’ recent launches at ConExpo-Con/Agg in Las Vegas, USA, where Hyundai Construction Equipment Americas continued its partnership with Cummins by enhancing its new 9A series product lines with Cummins Tier 4 Interim engines. Hyundai exhibited many of the 9A wheeled loader and excavator models. “Cummins state-of-the-art eng

The National Road Maintenance Fund of Vietnam requires over US$332 million (VND 7 trillion) to upgrade and fix roads in 2014, according to Le Hoang Minh, chief of the Fund’s Central Council. Of the total, almost $255.1 million (VND 5.4 trillion) will be used to upgrade and manage national highways, while the remainder will be allotted to cities and provinces to upgrade and maintain roads. Vehicle registrations are foreseen to contribute $217.31 million (VND 4.6 trillion) to the total amount required, with t

TRL has announced the acquisition of Transport & Travel Research (TTR) making it a wholly owned subsidiary of TRL. A minority shareholder in TTR since 2010, TRL has stated that TTR will continue to operate as an independent organisation. TTR’s chairman, David Blackledge, has stepped down from the Board to take on a role as Special Advisor, while TRL's chief executive, Rob Wallis, is appointed chairman of TTR (in addition to his other group company responsibilities) with immediate effect. All other operat

Spanish firm Cintra Infraestructuras, a subsidiary of Ferrovial, has been chosen by the Department of Transport in the US state of North Carolina (NCDOT) to design, construct, finance, operate and maintain the expansion of the I-77 highway. Design and construction within the US$655 million contract will be carried out by Ferrovial Agroman in collaboration with W.C. English, a local construction firm. The concession period is 50 years from when the highway opens to traffic - scheduled for mid-2018. Financing

Spain needs around €6.5 billion spent on its road infrastructure to bring it back up to ‘reasonable’ quality standard, according to a report drawn up by the Spanish Highways Association (SHA). The huge works’ bill is said by the SHA to be due to the deterioration of the roads since 1985. According to McKinsey, this investment could be reduced if tendering authorities made more effort when it came to project analysis. By improving the use of engineering services by 3% to 5% per investment, cost savings of

Uruguay’s Ministry of Transport and Public Works (MOTP) has recently presented proposals to the private sector on the modernisation and maintenance of four major national roads (26, 14, 55 and 20) over a ten-year period. A US$550 million government fund, known as Fondo Vial, will pay for the works, which will make Uruguay a real communications hub in the region, especially in light of a future deep water port. The national budget will remain unaffected.

Sweden’s road safety continues to improve as highlighted by the latest official statistics. These show that a 9% drop in road fatalities for 2013 compared with the previous year. In all 260 people were killed in road crashes on Sweden’s roads during 2013. The official data was compiled by Trafikanalys and to put this in context, Sweden’s rate of road-related fatalities is now at its lowest level since 1944. It is worth noting that in 1944, there were comparatively few registered motor vehicles in Sweden whi