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Improvement work is due to start on the expressway connecting Shanghai with the city of Xi’an during this year. Work will commence on the 66km section of the Jiangdu-Guangling stretch of the Hushan Expressway. This section runs from the Zhengyi Hub and ends at the Taixing Guangling Hub. The work will see the 19km Jiangdu section of the expressway widened to eight lanes, with four in either direction. This stretch of the project will feature a design speed of 120km/h and will cost US$841 million. The cost fo

Construction of the eastern and central parts of the new motorway through Algeria's elevated plains could begin soon. The work is set to follow the completion of respective studies linked to the project, according to national motorway agency ANA. Studies on the western stretch of the project are still ongoing. The motorway will cover 1,030kms, linking Tébessa and Naâma. The project involves Algerian, Chinese and Japanese firms.

One of Morocco’s most dangerous roads could get tunnels in a bid to improve its safety. A feasibility study on the potential installation of tunnels on the RN9 mountain-passing route will begin in December 2014.

Work is underway on an important highway improvement scheme in Vietnam. The project involves upgrading the Gia Lai-Binh Dinh section of National Highway 19. The work is being carried out under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. The actual construction work is scheduled for completion during 2015. The project is costing US$95 million and involves work to a 56km section of the route. The concession package has been agreed under a 22 year deal.

In China a new 88km highway is planned that will connect Chengde with capital Beijing. The highway will connect Chengde in Hebei Province to Beijing's Pinggu district. The project will cost some US$1.32 billion. The route will feature a design speed of 100km/h. Construction work on the Chengde section of the highway is due to commence in 2014.

Electric vehicles and hybrids should be fitted with noise emission equipment to reduce danger levels for the blind and partially sighted, according to the European Blind Union (EBU). The EBU is calling on the EU to make noise generators compulsory for all electric and hybrid vehicles due to the obvious risks these pose to blind and partially sighted people. Hybrid vehicles generally run in electric mode when operating at lower speeds in the urban cycle and generate very little engine noise, while electric v

A new agreement in the US will help tackle the issue of drink driving using sophisticated in-car technologies. The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is extending its cooperative agreement with the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), which comprises 15 automakers. This agreement will see research continuing into advanced alcohol detection technology that could prevent vehicles from being driven by a drunk driver. “Drunk driving remains a deadly crime

A series of major trade routes are being upgraded in Nepal, which are intended to help boost bilateral trade with neighbouring India and China. This will see four key trade routes being upgraded to six lanes. These are the; Butwal-Belhiya, Rani-Ithari, Surybinayak-Dhulikhel and Birgunj-Pathalaiya highway sections. Work is already underway on the Butwal-Belihiya and Rani-Ithari highway sections while work is also being planned for the Suryabinayak-Dhulikhel and Birgunj-Pathalaiya highways. Of the 24km stretc

Data from Japan’s National Police Agency reveals that 4,373 people were killed in crashes in 2013. This was a fall of 0.9% compared with the figures for 2012. The fall in road traffic deaths in 2013 is said to have come as a result of better traffic safety initiatives. The data revealed that 799,660 people were injured in crashes in 2013, while Japan saw a total of 628,248 crashes overall. Worryingly some 2,303 senior citizens were killed in traffic crashes in 2013, a rise of 1.7%, while at 219, the highest

Conexpo and IFPE 2014 are international trade exhibitions that will provide information and support for industry professionals worldwide. According to the organisers, 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. Safety and education/training will be spotlighted with focused industry events in the outdoor