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While the use of GPS is now commonplace in industry there are locations that do not get a reliable signal throughout the working day. The location, geographical layout and depth of a quarry can cause 'canyoning', where GPS signals are not dependable.Poor signals make GPS-based machine tracking technology unreliable but a Canadian firm has an RFID-based system it believes could be the answer for such sites. This cost effective QuarryTag system has been adapted from a product that has been widely used by the

Geospatial engineering company Coastway has completed an as-built survey of the final section of the M8 motorway in Ireland using the StreetMapper mobile mapping system.

Key international seminar promoting affordable, safer and environmentally friendly pavement preservation practices. Building on the success of last year's seminar, IRF is proud to invite you to the 2nd Annual Preserving our Highway Infrastructure Assets seminar, which will be held in Orlando, Florida, USA, from 3-6 August, 2010.

Work on an award-winning US bridge was completed with savings and benefits to motorists through the help of an innovative barrier. The bridge replacement of US 31 over I-465 and Lick Creek in southern Indianapolis, state capital of Indiana, won the 2011 Honor Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Indiana. Stephen J. Christian & Associates of Indianapolis completed the design in less than nine months to allow Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to take advantage of the favourab

Tony Marshall, Director at Arup, looks at ways in which the company encourages sustainable mobility. From policy and systems development through to the design and execution of major infrastructure projects, he reviews Arup's global project experiences and research programmes

Innovations abound in the aggregate production sector - Mike Woof reports. With road construction accounting for a significant percentage of aggregate production, developments in this industry are of major importance for the highway sector. Technical advances in aggregate production methods have pushed technological boundaries, resulting in cost/tonne reductions for products and improving operating efficiency for major producers.

Italian company Fracasso says it now offers a barrier system developed around a modular design concept to meet an array of needs. Called 4safe, the system is said to combine high safety standards along with versatility in use. The system is said to be easy to assemble and uses common components that can be assembled in different ways to meet varying containment requirements. The 3n beam is the key to the range and has been proven in TB11 impact testing. Where required the system can be assembled to H4 stand

Taxi drivers in Czech capital Prague have a poor reputation for over-charging unwary tourists. However a new phone application aims to offer a solution to this problem, by using GPS technology to calculate the proper charge. While the city authorities have been struggling for some years to eradicate the problem, unscrupulous taxi drivers have continued to take passengers by longer routes than necessary and are also known to fix meters so that they overcharge. The city's mayor was himself overcharged some ye

In the US state of Idaho a man reported to a county sheriff's office with a request to be deported to Mexico. This request was denied so the man instead stole a police car and headed for the border. However the car contained a cell-phone belonging to one of the officers and was tracked. When the vehicle ran out of fuel, officers were able to apprehend the offender and he was then deported to Mexico, as he had originally wished.

Car thieves caused red faces in US car capital Detroit, during a recent car show. German manufacturer BMW had arranged for a fleet of limousines to transport company executives, guests and other worthies around the city. However when one of the comfortable 750i saloons was left with its engine ticking over outside a major hotel, a pair of thieves struck and escaped with the US$94,000 vehicle. The car had been left with the engine running by its official driver as a delivery driver was supposed to load the v

Two long distance cyclists, one male and one female, have shown courage in the face of adversity, as well as sheer stubbornness, by riding bicycles from one side of the planet to the other. A New Zealand woman took 20 months to ride her cheap, 18 speed mountain bike from the UK to New Zealand. The journey took her through no less than 22 countries, including some of the world's most dangerous areas. The woman surprised members of the New Zealand Army stationed in Afghanistan when she turned up at their base

A UK man found guilty of driving with a dog sitting on his lap is lodging an appeal against his conviction for failing to properly control his car. The man said the dog was sitting between the front seats of the car, rather than on his lap when he was stopped by police. There have been some inconsistencies as to the breed of dog concerned, however the location of the animal at the time of the alleged offence rather than its size appears to be the crux of the dispute. The man has an impressive record for bei

Iron technology solutions provider Saint-Gobain PAM UK has joined forces with Burdens to win a major contract for its ductile iron access covers and gratings.

Delays to better barrier safety pose further risks for Europe's powered two wheeled riders. The issue of safety for powered two wheeler riders (PTWRs) is a matter of some debate in Europe. Although Europe's PTWRs make up a mere fraction of the vehicle population, they figure highly in accident statistics. Safety provisions could be improved using available technology but a recent political decision has downgraded the importance of such a move.

A new tunnel link, in Hong Kong will reduce traffic congestion and speed the city's flow of vehicles.

In concrete paving, Leica Geosystems has long held the dominant position in the market for stringless 3D controls. The company's products are well-accepted by contractors and have been used on an array of machines from different manufacturers with a high degree of success in recent years. GOMACO has been working with Leica Geosystems for some time and the two companies set up a partnership recently. This combination technology and business relationship has seen the placement of personnel from Leica Geosyste

The cost of repairing roads, highways and bridges damaged by the recent flooding in Queensland is expected to cost around US$2.47 billion (A$2.5 billion).

Russia should be one of the largest and most dynamic infrastructure markets in the world over the next 15 years, and now "the time is right to begin a major push." Patrick Smith reports

Taiwan is investing heavily in its highway connections, with work now underway on the Suao-Hualien (Suhua) Highway upgrade project.

One of the world's most versatile building materials is subject to a variety of tests to make sure it is fit for purpose. Patrick Smith reports