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ESRI is developing a comprehensive highway data maintenance and linear referencing solution scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2010. Aimed at highway departments, state departments of transportation, and national roadway administrations, the company says it will provide an integrated set of tools and functionality that allows agencies to easily maintain highway geometry, their associated multiple linear referencing systems, and complex roadway features

A US$1.2 million three-year research project, one of the first major US studies to focus on 'eco-driving' techniques, conducted by the Center for Environmental Research and Technology at the University of California, Riverside, is aimed at the development of a next-generation, environmentally friendly driving feedback system with the goal of generating fuel savings of between 10 and 30 per cent. The project is being funded by a US Department of Energy grant, which is part of a $175 million federal programme

High micro-milling results are said to be achievable using the new cutter from Roadtec. This product has been developed to meet the growing demand for thinner friction courses, which require proper surface preparation. Delamination of thin courses can occur when surfaces are prepared with conventional milling equipment, according to Roadtec. The firm adds that water can get trapped in the recesses of a conventionally milled surface, leading to premature pavement failure.

Phoenix Industries says its new equipment can deliver on-the-spot pothole repairs even in the toughest winter climates. The MP 300 is a truck or trailer-mounted mobile patching unit which utilises PelletPATCH, an innovative rubber modified pellet material for pothole patching. Phoenix, who have a sales and service agreement with M-B Companies, claims this allows for permanent roadside pothole repairs.

From removing light snow from pavements and driveways, to shifting heavy or packed piles of snow and ice, Bobcat claims they have tools for any winter job. Different hydraulic motor packages now come with the company’s snow blower models, which offer widths varying from 1,220mm to 2,134mm. With throw distances from 7.6m to 13.7m, the models have a rotating chute and deflector to point the snow in the preferred direction.

Greater precision is helping blur the boundaries between GIS technology and design software While GIS map based technology has extended its range across an ever more universal spectrum of uses in the highways sector, it is increasingly showing weaknesses for engineering purposes. It is very often not accurate enough. This has not mattered previously because the GIS tool has been seen essentially as an automated version of paper based systems from the design department's point of view. Where engineers

A jury of European experts from the fields of research and industry has chosen the winners of the 2012 Intermat Innovation Awards.

An innovative approach to the management of utilities works is the result of a partnership that has produced the Intelligent Trench. This novel underground mapping solution is also being combined with PelicanCorp's beforeUdig service to deliver a comprehensive and accurate national record-sharing service for underground assets in the UK. The new no-charge service allows local authorities and contractors to use the Intelligent Trench portal to access utility plan information directly from the portal's data b

Slipform paver manufacturers are currently seeing strong business gains, Mike Woof reports The concrete slipforming sector is seeing strong business gains at present, with high demand for machines right around the globe. In Europe and the US, barrier machines are in particular demand, while in Russia airport paving is top of the agenda. All over the world, airports have to be rebuilt to cope with new large aircraft, and machines are busy operating in Asia, Europe and both North and South America on this

Chris Bradshaw, Autodesk's vice-president for the Infrastructure Solutions division spoke to World Highways. The launch of the fourth version of its Civil 3D design software early this year will see software maker Autodesk getting serious about its road and general civil engineering package. Bigger projects can be handled in the 2008 version, and a range of new functionality is being added. "Though not everything we would like yet," said Chris Bradshaw, Autodesk's vicepresident for the Infrastructure S

The integration of software tools, users and data was an important factor in a major highway project The giant High Five interchange in Texas, USA, emerged as a key winner in Bentley Systems' software awards this year. It won both the Innovation in Road and Bridge category and, significantly, Connecting Project Teams. The awards, a feature of the annual exhibition/conference organised by the software house, attract increasing interest from industry, and competition has become widespread, not least bec

A major European project aimed at delivering green traffic management systems in European cities and towns will be officially launched at the National Space Centre in Leicester, England, tomorrow. The project, which brings together research clusters from five European regions, is being led by the University of Leicester and Leicester City Council. Other local partners are De Montfort University, The University of Nottingham and Astrium Services – Leicester who will be working in partnership with research cl

A major European project aimed at delivering green traffic management systems in European cities and towns will be officially launched at the National Space Centre in Leicester, England, tomorrow. The project, which brings together research clusters from five European regions, is being led by the University of Leicester and Leicester City Council. Other local partners are De Montfort University, The University of Nottingham and Astrium Services – Leicester who will be working in partnership with research cl

A new highway is proving an economic lifeline for the tiny country of Kosovo – Mike Woof reports. Road projects in Europe rarely meet such widespread public approval and support as the new Route 7 highway being built in the new Balkan state of Kosovo. The first sections of the new road opened to traffic in November 2011, with locals turning out in large numbers to celebrate the event. The official opening was carried out by the country’s prime minister Hashim Thaçi, president Atifete Jahjaga, and members of

The tender process for the A355 western Strasbourg bypass in France is nearing completion and the winner will be announced shortly. The 24km highway stretch is expected to take 52 months to build and will cost some €750 million while for the moment at least, Vinci Concessions is the preferred bidder. The 55 year contract includes design, financing, construction and operation and maintenance.

Registrations are open for the 2012 Summit of the International Transport Forum, which will focus on seamless transport. This global transport policy platform is linked to the OECD and will take place on 2-4 May in Leipzig, Germany. The event will bring together ministers, industry leaders and top experts from the Forum’s 53 member countries and beyond. The theme of the 2012 Summit is Seamless Transport: Making Connections and for the first time, China will be participating as a full member in the Summit.

Despite the recent failure of the Turkish Government’s tender for the project to build a third bridge over the Bosphorus, the deal may yet go ahead. Japanese firms Itochu, Obayashi, IHI and Mitsubishi have revealed that they are still interested in constructing a third bridge over the Bosphorus at Istanbul, as well as constructing the associated tolled highway.

A new US$350 million road project by the Israel National Roads Company will boost connectivity from the north to the centre of the country. The project is seeing the opening of new interchanges and roads in western Galilee.

Two full-colour, high-resolution Daktronics Vanguard dynamic message sign (DMS) products have officially been approved by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDoT) to manage traffic congestion and provide safety on highways throughout the state. By adding these two signs, Florida now has five Daktronics DMS and one DMS traffic cabinet on its Approved Product List (APL).

2012 sees the start of a new wheeled excavator programme from Liebherr, and the A916 represents the first fruit from the project. Replacing the A316 Litronic, the new A916 has been developed to meet Stage IIIB emissions requirements and has an operating weight from 17-18.1 tonnes depending on specification. Power comes from a four-cylinder 110kW engine with common rail fuel injection, EGR and DOC – a DPF is available as an optional extra for those working inside buildings.