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Hidromek is offering an improved excavator series and plans to introduce a new top-of-the-range machine later this year. Export manager Anil Bingöl said, “We are preparing a 50tonne class machine.” He added that this will be offered with a Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions rating only, although full specifications of the machine have yet to be revealed. The new 50tonne class excavator will benefit from the latest Hidromek telematics package, which uses satellite communications to provide a continuous flow

Hidromek is introducing new 15tonne and 21tonne wheeled excavators that benefit from new cab designs. Export manager Anil Bingöl said, “We are targeting mainland Europe with our wheeled excavators.” Said to be highly versatile, the HMK140W and HMK200W machines are offered in Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emission certified format and offer high performance and productivity. High quality European and Japanese components are used and the machines are said to be easy to operate and offer precise control. These new

From Bell Equipment comes a special version of its B30 truck in the shape of a 4x4 version of the B30D. Introduced as part of the firm’s VersaTruck programme, the 4x4 version of the B30D has been developed for a range of applications such as use in underground tunnel construction and underground mining, or quarrying. The shorter rear chassis and single rear axle means that the truck is able to manoeuvre in tighter spaces than the conventional B30 machine, suiting it to applications such as underground opera

Global engineering technology firm Reinshaw now has full ownership of UK-based Measurement Devices Ltd (MDL), following the purchase of an outstanding 34% shareholding for US$7.07 million (£4.5mn). The acquisition of the shares concludes an agreement reached in 2010, when Renishaw purchased an initial 29% stake in MDL, the designers and manufacturers of high speed laser measurement and surveying systems for use in extreme conditions. Steve Ball, the founder of MDL, will be leaving the company, whilst Elaine

The 30km long third phase of the Madinah-Tabuk highway, the old Madinah-Qassim Road and the third 25km ring of King Khaled Road are among major highways projects to be carried out in Saudi Arabia's Madinah province. A total of US$306.66 million (SAR 1.15bn) has been approved by the Saudi government for the province's transport and road projects during the financial year 2013. Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia's Transport Minister Jabara Al-Seraisry said that SAR 11bn would be invested in new road projects in

Madhya Pradesh authorities are to receive US$245.17 million (INR 17.8bn) from India's Union Government to build 1,521 new roads as part of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY). The sum is in addition to INR 5.32bn sanctioned for the development of 1,656.7km highway stretch under the Integrated Action Plan (IAP).

All toll-collection systems on Istanbul's Bosphorus and Fatih Bridges have been converted to HGS. The new system offers instant toll payment on roads and bridges without having to wait at counters thanks to a device attached to the vehicle's windscreen, as well as 20% discount on fares. However, there are concerns that a lack of counters on the bridges might cause problems for European drivers driving through Istanbul.

New research carried out jointly by the Lighting Research Center and Penn State have identified links between visibility and safety from roadway lighting. The results are said to hold promise for predicting the safety benefits of new lighting configurations. Identifying when and where to install roadway illumination is a challenge for transportation agencies. Estimating nighttime crash reductions from roadway lighting is difficult in part because lighting tends to be installed along with other improvements

A key industry move comes with the news that Hemisphere GPS now has a new Chinese owner following a US$15 million acquisition. The deal was carried out by Hemisphere GNSS, a subsidiary of Beijing UniStrong Science & Technology (UniStrong), which purchased the Precision Products business and related GNSS technology and intellectual property from Hemisphere GPS. Meanwhile, Hemisphere GPS intends to change its company name to AgJunction. As part of the transaction, Hemisphere acquired the entire high-precision

A study by the Texas Transportation Institute has revealed that US capital Washington DC now suffers the heaviest congestion of any city in the country. Los Angeles in California and Houston in Texas have both been regarded as amongst the worst in the US in this regard, suffering long traffic delays due to jams, but the report shows Washington DC to be worse still. The Texas Transportation Institute’s Urban Mobility Report paints a damning portrait of congestion in the US capital. The American Road & Transp

New wheeled excavators are now available from German company Atlas Maschinen. New cabs, improved hydraulics and Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB compliant engines are key features. Stephan Theis director sales and marketing said, “We have a big reduction in noise levels at the operator’s ear.” Key new models for 2013 are the 140W, 150W and 160W wheeled excavators, with the larger 160W now coming to market and the two smaller units available at the end of the year. Theis said that the combination of the new engines