News

New technology could improve safety at intersections by up to 80%. The innovative vehicle and infrastructure technology being developed in the European INTERSAFE-2 research project is targeting known issues of road safety at intersections.

An International research project into the effects of extreme weather on Europe’s transport network has shown that rain causes the most problems. Heavy rain can cut off or submerge low-lying areas, cause bridge scour, flood underpasses and damage earthworks.

Mexico’s president Felipe Calderon has inaugurated the new Baluarte Bridge, which crosses the Baluarte River in the Sierra Madre mountain range in the north of the country. This 1.12km long bridge is 403m high at its central point over the steeply sloping ravine it spans, making it the highest cable-stayed structure in the world. Officials from the Guinness Book of Records presented an award to President Calderon, reflecting the Baluarte’s new status as it is higher than the previous holder, the Millau Brid

In the US state of California, the Air Resources Board (ARB) is working on a programme that will boost development of new automobile technology with reduced emission levels.

A Chinese contractor is to construct the dual carriageway extension to Langata Road in Kenya. Work is commencing shortly on the US$30.6 million project, which will take 15 months to complete.

European Union and OECD countries will be confronted with a considerable slow down of economic growth and transport activities after a year of feeble economic growth. This is the forecast in the IRU [International Road Transport Union] Road Transport Indices, which allows the comparison of GDP growth, road freight transport volumes and new vehicle registrations in 58 countries. IRU head of sustainable development, Jens Hügel highlighted that “when comparing the 2010 and 2011 figures, BRIC [Brazil, Russia, I

A senior US equipment manufacturing figure has urged President Barack Obama to create an infrastructure programme that will help the country compete globally.

The Indonesian Government has handed out contracts for the new Sunda Strait Bridge. Construction of the US$11 billion project is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2014.

In Switzerland the authorities intend to introduce tough regulations that will boost safety on the nation’s roads. The Swiss National Council voted measures including stricter penalties for people convicted of speeding.

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.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released estimates showing that in 2010, transportation deaths in the US was 34,925, a decrease from 35,994 recorded in 2009.