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Machine control and safety specialist Prolec has developed a total machine control system, called Prolec Machine Engine (PME). Rather than having separate controllers for safety applications such as weighing, stability and safe load indication, plus additional controllers for digging applications and data capture, the PME aims to combine all of these features in a single module. Suitable for all makes of machines and capable of working with cranes, telehandlers, excavators, backhoe loaders, concrete, fork l

In Chile the contractor Grupo Costanera currently has deals in hand for some US$650 million. Projects Grupo Costanera is working on include road works in the eastern part of Santiago, the construction of a connection with Route 78 from the union of Costanera Norte with Route 68 that goes to Valparaiso, and the Santiago-Lampa highway. Grupo Costanera is at present 45.8% owned by Atlantia. But Atlantia intends to increase its stake in Grupo Costanera and take a controlling interest by June of this year.

Sunward is pushing hard in Europe with its new mini excavator range, which includes a sophisticated range of standard and zero tailswing models The SWE25 is a 2.6tonne standard mini excavator that features a 15.5kW Yanmar diesel and offers a dig depth of 2.4m. This machine is certified for use in Europe and has the important CE mark. Product quality has been set as a key precedent by Sunward for its machines and a company spokesperson said, “This class is one of the most popular models in the German market,

Three flood mitigation projects in Malaysia worth a combined US$171.82million will be carried out in Perlis state. One is part of the under design 16km Western bypass, another is connected to the Timah Tasoh dam upgrading works, with a third part of the widening and deepening of Sungai Arau. All three projects are due to be finished by the end of 2014.

The first tranche of tenders for the US$392 million Rustenburg Rapid Transport (RRT) project in the north west of South Africa has been announced by the local municipal council.The tenders are for the construction of the North-West RRT Corridor, topographical and structural survey services and environmental-impact assessment (EIA) services. The RRT aims to provide transport to half-a-million Rustenburg residents from 2015.

Manitou Group (MG) president Jean-Christophe Giroux says the Group will look to double its business in the next three to four years after revenue rose by 35% to US$1.13billion in 2011. Speaking on the publication of details of MG’s FY11 performance Giroux, who is also the French construction, industry and agricultural machinery manufacturers chief executive, said: “We want to take advantage of all growth opportunities in a developing yet fragmented market and double our business over the next 3-4 year, t

Dutch surveying company Geomaat is capturing millimetre accurate measurements in record times to support a range of highway design, construction and maintenance projects. Using the mobile laser mapping system StreetMapper, and specially developed point cloud software, the company can calculate very accurate cutting, milling and asphalt figures, create as built models and undertake change detection. “In the past, these types of measurement were undertaken using total stations which was time consuming, and

Clearview Traffic Group has secured a contract for the installation and maintenance of automatic traffic monitoring equipment on behalf of Transport for London (TfL). As part of the contract, the company will install a number of additional automatic traffic counter (ATC) sites, as well as continue to maintain and repair nearly 200 existing ATC sites in and around the city of London to ensure there is a continued supply of acceptable traffic count data. The sites include equipment, ancillary devices and serv

A new 1km long tunnel is being planned to help reduce congestion in Skopje, capital of Macedonia. The tunnel will be built by Turkish contractor Limak. The contractor will also build its own commercial development above the tunnel as part of the agreement. The cost of the tunnel project is not available at this point.

AECOM’s UK transport team has been selected to develop a masterplan for the Romanian national transport system. An assessment of the short, medium and long-term outlook for the country’s transport system will form part of the masterplan. It will also contain sustainability-conscious infrastructure and policy recommendations for all transport modes, including road, rail, air, Constanta Port and navigation of the Danube River.

Renault Trucks’ Tridem 8x4*4 is designed for carrying heavy loads in restricted spaces and is also suitable for mounting mobile cranes or vacuum units. Based on a lightweight Lander 6x4 chassis, the Tridem has an additional 10tonne rated rear steering tag axle giving it a turning circle some 10 to 15% tighter than a traditional 8x4 (depending on the wheelbase). Once back on the road the driver can, depending on the load being carried, raise the rear axle to increase fuel economy.

Renault Trucks’ Tridem 8x4*4 is designed for carrying heavy loads in restricted spaces and is also suitable for mounting mobile cranes or vacuum units. Based on a lightweight Lander 6x4 chassis, the Tridem has an additional 10tonne rated rear steering tag axle giving it a turning circle some 10 to 15% tighter than a traditional 8x4 (depending on the wheelbase). Once back on the road the driver can, depending on the load being carried, raise the rear axle to increase fuel economy.