News

Professor José Manuel Viegas has been chosen as Secretary-General-elect of the International Transport Forum. Ministers from the 53 member countries of the Forum agreed to appoint Viegas, an intergovernmental organisation within the OECD family that acts as a global transport policy think tank, during their Annual Summit in Leipzig, Germany. Viegas, from Portugal, is expected to take up office this summer, taking over from Michael Kloth of Germany, who led the Forum as acting secretary-General since Novem

Swedish-based firm Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) reports stronger-than-expected increases in demand from customers in Europe and North America. The firm says that this performance has helped boost third quarter sales. Steady sales in many markets having a positive impact on financial performance. Net sales in the three months of July-September rose by 18% to US$2.28 billion, compared with $1.94 billion in the same period last year and when adjusted for currency movements, net sales increased by 27

The authorities in Honduras have excluded a number of contractors from taking part in the construction of the central highway project. The firms in question do not meet technical and financial requirements set by the World Bank, which is supplying funding for the projects.

TransCore has been selected by the city of San Jose - the capital of Silicon Valley - in California to implement adaptive traffic control technology at approximately 50 intersections in seven areas of the city. Each of the junctions is challenged with varying traffic congestion resulting from commutes to freeway interchanges, travel to regional shopping malls, and trips to local business and commercial districts.

While two-wheeled transport remains the primary means of transport for millions of people in China and other parts of Asia Pacific, most consumers in North America and Europe have remained committed to their passenger cars. Now, however, high petroleum costs, improved customer perception, and government incentives are all contributing to a growing demand for motorcycles and scooters - including those powered by electricity.

Cemex has revealed significant progress in key indicators related to sustainable construction. “We are proud to have reached an alternative fuels substitution rate of close to 25% in our cement operations in 2011, on track to achieve a rate of 35% by 2015,” said Lorenzo Zambrano, chief executive of Cemex. In 2011, Cemex’s rate of alternative-fuel use rose to 24.7% of total fuel mix, a sizable improvement from its rate of 20.3% in 2010. In addition, the company achieved a 22.7% reduction on CO2 net emissions

Inrix has introduced what it claims is the industry's first cloud-based data analytics services designed to improve how transportation agencies monitor, manage and measure the performance of their road networks. "Now more than ever, government agencies worldwide are being required to stretch and justify every dollar invested in transportation - being asked to do more with less," said Rick Schuman, Inrix VP of public sector.

In its annual report for the year to 30 June 2011, the Western Australia police force has published figures that show a 58 per cent improvement in detecting vehicles exceeding the speed limit through the deployment of Vitronic's PoliScanSpeed.According to the report, 13.7 million vehicles were measured between July 2010 and June 2011. Of these 26.1 per cent were detected travelling in excess of the speed limit.

Israel's new Road No 6 project is well on track, with some 140km of the planned 260km route already operating. The Road No 6 project is being planned by Cross Road Highway from planning and statutory stages through bidding and construction.

EU proposals have been forward suggesting tougher speed control for built-up urban areas in Europe's towns and cities. In places where there is a perceived risk from speeding, such as around schools or in town and city centres and residential areas, speed limits of 30km/h (20mph) could be imposed.

Interest is strong in a major road contract in the autonomous Republika Srpska region of Bosnia. So far three Croatian companies, Ingra Inzinjering, Viadukt and Konstruktor have submitted bids for construction of the new highway that is planned and which will be 37km long. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development approved a finance package worth some €150 million to fund construction of the highway. Bosnian roads company Autoputevi Republike Srpske has said that out of 31 companies which purchas

The Sri Lankan Government is seeking private investment to help develop its new expressway project, which will boost connectivity between capital Colombo and other major conurbations. The expressway will cost some US$1.5 billion to construct and the authorities have already had interest shown in the project by investors from China, Malaysia and South Korea. The 98km Colombo-Kandy section of the project is expected to cost $1 billion to construct. The route will be tolled and the deal will be offered under a

Arup, in partnership with URS Scott Wilson, has been appointed to a new UK national government procurement service framework for traffic management technology research and consultancy services. The pan-government collaborative agreement, which will be available to all UK public sector bodies from next week, is expected to delivery up to US$5 billion of contracts during it four-year lifetime.

Italy's construction equipment manufacturer's association says that 2010 was a tough year for its members. During 2010 equipment sales in Italy dropped 5.3% from 2009, itself a bad year. This data comes from a survey by research specialist Cribis D&B, which investiaged the sector for Unacea.