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Using smartphones for social networking while driving is more dangerous than drink driving or being high on cannabis behind the wheel according to research published by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) in the UK. Despite this, eight per cent of drivers admit to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving. Twenty-four per cent of 17-24 year old drivers, a group already at higher risk of being in a crash, admit to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving.

Kapsch TrafficCom has concluded an agreement with leading French toll service provider Axxès for the supply of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology on-board units (OBUs) and central solutions for the French Ecotaxe project. This is a nationwide distance-based truck charging system to be implemented on 15,000km of French roads from mid-2013 onwards. The contract value is over US$33 million. "This is the largest win in the GNSS technology in the history of Kapsch TrafficCom," says André Lau

Dalian city in China has set out a budget worth some US$2.3 billion for 45 key projects in 2012. The projects include the construction of 300km of rural roads and 254km of trunk roads. Two highway construction projects stretching over 55km are also included and these are Zhuanghe-Gaizhou expressway and Dalian Bay Port area expressway. Meanwhile, Bohai Avenue construction will be fully kicked off, and Changshan bridge's main section is to be completed within 2012.

Plans are in hand in Russia for a new bridge spanning the Kuban River in Krasnodar. The 300m bridge will carry four lanes of traffic when it is complete over the Kuban River. The design work for the bridge is expected to be complete in spring 2013. The new bridge will help reduce congestion as the current Yablonovsky Bridge features just two lanes. It was designed to handle 6,000 vehicles/day but is instead carrying up to 30,000 vehicles/day.

A stakeholder workshop is being organised by the SATIE project, which is co-funded by the European Commission through the 7th Framework Programme for Research. The workshop will be held following this year’s Transport Research Arena in Athens on the 26th April 2012and from 14:00 – 18:00. The free workshop is being targeted at those delegates interested in research, innovation and deployment of ITS technologies. The workshop will help explore options to design, develop and deploy a major new Europe-wide init

The Japanese SE Group is working on a new road project in Vietnam. The 25km highway is costing some US$476 million to construct, with some 60% of the funding coming from the JBIC Bank and SE Group providing around 20%. The rest of the funding will be provided by official development assistant capital. This new road will provide a link from the city of Halong in Vietnam's Quang Ninh province to the Hanoi-Haiphong highway project.

Contracts worth in excess of US$ 436 million are now being awarded in Oman for a series of road improvements and upgrades. One notable deal is for the installation of safety barriers along the Qurayat-Sur road, while another is for the annual maintenance of dirt roads in Dakhiliyah, Musandam along with Sharqiyah North and South between 2012 and 2015. The Tender Board of Oman also awarded a contract for the construction of Al Batinah South Expressway.

INTERMAT was the venue for the official hand-over of one of the world’s first Kobelco CKE 2500G crawler cranes. Herman Smit, chief operating officer of crane giant Mammoet, came to the show on Friday to meet Kobeloc Crane’s president and chief executive officer Isao Aida for the handover of the 250tonne lattice boom machine. While he was at the show Smit confirmed orders for another 46 cranes of 180 tonnes and 250tonnes capacity.

Steel producer SSAB has introduced a mobile app for Android and iPhone. The app is designed to make it easier for customers to find information about SSAB’s products. It also provides instructions for processing steel as well as calculation models, data sheets and details of who to contact in different countries.

Minyu brought the latest version of a SP cone crusher to INTERMAT. It has been designed to maximise performance by combining an increased speed with a larger crushing chamber, which increases the material capacity and the throughput per hour. The company said that the SP series delivers 30% to 40% more capacity per hour than counterpart spring-type cone crushers. Power transmission from the counter shaft has been increased and better gearing has been introduced, partly thanks to the engineering of the gear

Idromeccanica Ramtec brought two models from its expanded hammer range to INTERMAT. Models such as the RT 1600 and RT 590 brought to the show have additional features but also retain proven aspects of the earlier models, which remain available. Changes in the latest models include improved noise levels and compatibility with a larger range of excavators. The latest models also absorb vibrations at the arm of the excavator to a greater degree than in the past.

Sandvik Mining and Construction has launched a new breaker and mobile crushing plant at INTERMAT. The stand also emphasizes the company’s commitment to manufacturing and supporting both products and customers in an environmentally sustainable manner. The BR1533 hydraulic breaker weighs 870kg and is suitable for carriers in the 10 to 20tonne range. With an impact rate of 550 to 1050 blows per minute, the BR1533 features Sandvik’s Fixed Blow Energy system that ensures optimum impact energy with every blow, re

Distributor Cap Minerals is showing the latest model of the V12 dust controller, whose manufacturer is EmiControls by TechnoAlpin. Applications include working with primary crushers and stockpiles as well as in construction and demolition. The machine can be put on wheels or even mounted on a tower. The V12 sends out a fine water spray to keep the dust down and it can control dust across a distance of up to 50m, said Cap Minerals. The high-performance fan oscillates vertically and horizontally for optimum c

New from Acmar is an update to its all-binder automatic sprayer for surface dressings. Key features are a binder filter and pump that can be reached from the ground, a telescopic spray bar of up to 6.2m with triple overlap and a heavy-duty tow hook. There is a choice of a rear, or rear plus front, additive spray bar.

German asphalt and concrete plant constructor Lintec is rapidly expanding its manufacturing base around the world to meet growing demand for its modular material production equipment from both well established and emerging markets. The company’s new facility in Poland has recently supplied its first CDD 1200 GA Gussasphalt plant to French company SMAC, part of the Colas Group. However, the company is also enjoying strong demand from facilities in Brazil, Shanghai and Singapore.

Acmar says that its new type RGA combined sprayer brings together top quality in spraying and spreading. The model was nominated for the innovation awards at INTERMAT 2012. Key features include a telescopic spray bar of up to 4.4m with triple overlap, a chipping spreader and a long low tipper with pushing shield. The company said that its latest RGA and RGS sprayers provide significant savings in terms of binder, gravel, time, energy, budget and manpower.

Liebherr used INTERMAT 2012 to show its new 380 EC-B 16 Litronic flat-top crane. The 380tonne unit tops the 15-model range, which starts from 50tonnes. The new “flagship” can lift loads of up to 3,400kg at its 75m maximum radius. With the Litronic system, the 380 EC-B 16 can provide up to 20% more load lift at the push of a button. This is achieved by integrating the load-moment limiting system, the ABB operating-range limiting system and the MDA machine data evaluation program.

The authorities in Mozambique are planning to secure loans worth US$300 million from the Export Import Bank of China (Exim Bank). The loans will be used to finance construction of the Maputo Ring Road project. Equipment procurement is scheduled for the project during first six months of 2012. The ring road project will link Maputo to the Costa do Sol neighbourhood, leading to Marracuene district.

Haulotte Group (HG) recorded net sales growth of 23% to $400.3million in 2011, compared to $326million in 2010. The boom lift and lifting equipment manufacturers believe the strength of emerging markets and renewed investment by major European retail companies will also give the Group a “double-digit” growth in 2012 sales. However, to cope with the perceived weakness of Southern European markets, HG is closing its Spanish production unit in Santander and transferring all products manufactured at the p

Dutch company Diverto Technologies used INTERMAT to show a prototype multi-purpose vehicle called the Q-Synchro 100. Said to combine the capabilities of an excavator, forklift, tractor and loader in one machine, the Q-Synchro 100 features a full-width two-door cab, 75kW engine and twin-range hydrostatic transmission offering a 40kph road speed. Aimed at utility customers, local authorities and landscape contractors, the innovative machine features an offset boom, and boom folding similar to that used on tr