News

Researchers at Oxford University in the UK have developed an autonomous vehicle based on a 'Wildcat' vehicle built by BAE Systems. Supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and in collaboration with BAE Systems and Nissan, Professor Paul Newman of Oxford University's Department of Engineering Science, is leading the US$2.2 million research project."Our long-term aim is to enable a new generation of robotic vehicles that can make the roads safer, less congested, cleaner, an

Researchers at the Texas Transportation Institute have revealed how texting impairment is even greater than many experts previously believed, and demonstrates how texting drivers are less able to react to sudden roadway hazards.The findings of the study, the first published work in the US to examine texting while driving in an actual driving environment, extend to other driving distractions that involve reading or writing, such as checking e-mail or Facebook, according to the researchers.

The two-lane Shivpuri-Dewas road in India's Madhya Pradesh will be widened to four lanes in a major upgraded project. The work is expected to take 30 months to complete and the work will be carried out on the 332km route by GVK Transportation. The contract is a design, build, finance, operate and transfer package and will feature a 30 year concession period.

Steve Claude has accepted the newly-created position of senior vice president, sales and marketing at Astec, an Astec Industries company.He joined Astec in 2007 as vice president, international sales. Prior to that, he spent 15 years in the international group at Maytag where he cultivated a successful record in international sales, marketing, business development and other international operations.

The Italian island of Sicily is to benefit from major investment in its road network, in a move designed to help boost its economy.

Canada's Henri IV road will be widened and upgraded in a project worth US$413.6 million ($400 million). The road is located in West Quebec and work is not expected to commence until 2013. Quebec's Ministry of Transport has explained that the Henry IV road will be widened as this will be more effective at reducing congestion as well as being cheaper than the alternative, which would have been to extend the Félix-Leclerc highway.

In the US city of Milwaukee plans are in hand for a major highway upgrade that is expected to cost US$300 million. The upgrade will focus on Interstate 794 where it runs through the centre of Milwaukee, as well as the Hoan Bridge. This three year project is due to start at the end of 2013 and will improve connections with the Port of Milwaukee.

Work will start in the second half of 2011 on a new stretch of Hungary's M3 highway between Vasarosnameny and the number 49 highway.

Major cost increases are expected for the 1,250km Autopistas de la Montana highways project in Colombia. According to local company ISA, the cost of the project will exceed the projected US$3.5 billion. However the new links are expected to offer better transport connections and boost travel speeds.

Work is now underway in Bangladesh on the country's new Dhaka Elevated Expressway. The construction work is being carried out by Italian-Thai Development and the project is expected to help address Dhaka's chronic traffic congestion issues.

The tender process is opening for Israel's Road 531 project, which will link Tel Aviv with Sharon. The highway contract will form part of the country's largest ever road project, according to the Israel National Roads Company.

Carillion has been awarded a US$16 million contract to transform another section of the UK’s M6 in Birmingham, between Junctions 5 and 8, into a managed motorway.

Urban mobility is high on the infrastructure agenda in Mexico. While highways continue to be a priority, capital Mexico City and other large cities across the country are looking to implement mass transport systems such as bus rapid transit (BRT) lines.