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Tough political decisions have to be made to ensure highway investment - *Dr Max Lay reports Our road systems and how we use them have changed dramatically over the last few centuries, and yet some problems persist and others reappear. For most of human history roads have been used by foot traffic and by cumbersome wagons hauled at walking pace. Roads were built to provide some obvious advantage in commerce or conquest. They were then grudgingly maintained by those who might gain some advantage from the

The diesel-operated Liftlux 245-25 by JLG is well-known, like the rest of the Liftlux range, for its extremely rigid and stable triple-arm scissor, giving the operator a comfortable work environment, even when the lift is elevated at full height. Because of the model’s 500kg platform capacity and large roll-out deck that extends the platform to 5.40metres, it’s said by JLG to offer an ideal solution for use around jobsites when heavy units have to be installed at great height overhead.

In March 1991, the International Road Educational Foundation (IREF), through the leadership of Dana Low, John Gehrett and Marion Dietrich, among others, established the Future Fund, an endowment-style funding mechanism to support scholarship awards for IRF Fellows.

Mexico-based Grupo Pinfra was one of the country's first aggregate producers to invest in mobile crushing and screening equipment. Twenty years on, the company is still confident that mobile equipment is key to meeting demand and has just expanded its fleet. In 1991, Pinfra took delivery of two Metso Minerals Lokotrack LT125 mobile crushers and these have now clocked up 30,000 working hours. Nonetheless, there is still plenty of life in these machines and while the newly acquired LT140 jaw crusher takes

Mexico-based Grupo Pinfra was one of the country's first aggregate producers to invest in mobile crushing and screening equipment. Twenty years on, the company is still confident that mobile equipment is key to meeting demand and has just expanded its fleet. In 1991, Pinfra took delivery of two Metso Minerals Lokotrack LT125 mobile crushers and these have now clocked up 30,000 working hours. Nonetheless, there is still plenty of life in these machines and while the newly acquired LT140 jaw crusher takes

Scanclimber claims to have developed the world’s first callable multipurpose hoist. Triple Hoist, being exhibited by the Finnish firm at Intermat, is said to be lightweight and deployable in three different ways – as a material hoist; a transport platform; or as a personnel hoist. Scanclimber says Triple Hoist has been specifically designed for smaller building projects, making them ideal for rental and scaffolding companies. Because of its multipurpose use, fast installation and value price, Scanclimber cl

Our series of profiles on winning projects from the 2010 Global Road Achievement Awards (GRAA) continues with the traffic management and intelligent transport systems (ITS) category, won by AECOM for its work on Florida's first managed lanes project During January 2010, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) completed Phase 1 of the 95 Express, the state's first managed lanes project. The 95 Express is unique in its approach to Transportation Management Centre (TMC) operations, incident manageme

Italian company Ihimer has scooped a prestigious prize in the INTERMAT 2012 Innovation Awards. Its Carry 105 Electric Power eco mini dumper secured the firm, based near Siena, in Tuscany, the award for Sustainable Development. Ihimer will receive its accolade along with 11 other prize winners during a special ceremony organised by award organisers, the National Federation of Public Works of France (FNTP), to be held in Paris on during Intermat 2012 on 16 April.

Part of Hidromek’s crawler and wheel excavator range, the HMK200W wheeled excavator is designed with operator comfort, productivity, serviceability and safety in mind. It has a four-cylinder Isuzu engine, a top speed of 25.5km/h, a boom length of 5.8m, a 1m³ standard bucket capacity and a 21,800kg operating weight. The model has a dig depth of 5.93m.

The Kingdom of Bahrain will host the 3rd IRF Middle East Regional Congress & Exhibition which runs January 9-11, 2012.

JLG’s diesel-powered 510AJ boom lift, with a working height of 17.81metres, is said by the American firm to be specifically designed and produced for the European market, providing high level access with a spacious work platform. The machine is said to be ideal for use in confined locations and can be set up and re-positioned quickly in narrow, compact spaces. Other work can carry on around it relatively undisturbed due to low sound levels while operating.

The 1500SJ is said by manufacturers JLG to be the first straight boom lift that elevates operators to 45.72metres and requires only a weight permit for transport. The telescoping jib, which can extend up to 7.62metres, provides flexibility and what is said to be “exceptional” horizontal and vertical reach. As with all JLG Ultra Booms, the 1500SJ delivers dual 450kg/230kg capacity and three steering modes. Among its features is an LCD display communications machine to assist operators in positioning the plat

Unveiled as a prototype at SAIE, Italy in October 2010, the compact 340AJ boom lift can cope with grades and break-over angles up to 45° allowing it to drive on slopes and up ramps. Built to a working height of 12.35metres and with a horizontal outreach of 6.07metres, the 340AJ is said by JLG to meet demands for a broad range of applications. The jib extends to 1.2metres with near vertical operation. When ground conditions get tough, proper off-road performance is ensured by the standard oscillating axle an

Paul Nordengen of South Africa's Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) introduces a comprehensive self-regulation initiative to improve road wear, road safety and transport productivity in South Africa

Now producing 10,000 backhoe loaders and crawler and wheeled excavators a year and looking to expand its product range later this year, Hidromek has also been adding new features to its existing machines including the HMK140LC crawler excavator. Featuring a re-designed cabin and new ‘Opera’ control system, the 140LC comes with a four-cylinder Mitsubishi engine, a 4.6m boom and a 0.6m³ cubic bucket capacity. The machine has an operating weight of 14,300kg.

A new truck mounted articulated platform with increased capacity up to 300kg and 21metre working height with 10metre outreach is being launched by CTE at Intermat 2012. The ZED 21 JH, part of the firm’s established ZED line, is said to be an evolution of the ZED 21 J with a redesigned boom that is more compact and parallel to the articulated arm. The new model’s jib inclination has been increased from 110 ° to 145 °, its controls are tilted towards the operator to improve visibility and ease of use, and the

Rajasthan is one of the most favoured tourist destinations of India for both domestic and international traffic on account of its rich array of historical forts, palaces, art and culture. In terms of area, Rajasthan is the country's largest state. Its size and strategic location means that it is traversed by substantial traffic linking the neighbouring states to the north and south. The National Highway (NH) road corridors currently accommodating this traffic are the NH-8, NH-11, NH-12, NH-14 and NH-1

Latest Volvo wheeled loaders to get the G-series revisions include the middle-weight 11-17 tonne L60, L70 and L90 versions. The stylish overhaul brings an electrically operated sloping bonnet, improving rearward visibility. All benefit from a revised cab layout, cleaner engines and improved hydraulic systems to deliver more productivity and greater efficiency. Power ratings are from 121-130kW, with all three sharing a stage IIIB six-cylinder Volvo D6H motor that gets cooled EGR and DPF emissions equipment.

Making its Intermat debut, Scotland-based Tata Steel last year invested €9.56million (£8million) in its specialist steels Clydebridge plant in Glasgow. The move increased the plant’s capacity for producing premium quality high-strength steel plate, essential for lifting and excavating industries, by up to 50%. Tata Steel is more than the just a steel producer according to Carlo Di Terlizzi, brand and marcoms manager for lifting and excavating.

In the last of our profiles of laureates of the inaugural Innovation Award for Road Transport in Developing Countries (InARoaD), we meet the winner of the Road Safety category, and third prize overall A vital prerequisite for achieving safer roads is thorough assessment of prevailing traffic situations and identification of associated factors. In this respect, the availability of a comprehensive road accident database is crucial for understanding the pattern of accident causation. Conscious of the ne