Choosing the right dowel drilling equipment
Several aspects factor into choosing the proper concrete dowel drill - Randy Stevens. The concrete paving industry has seen significant changes to dowel drilling equipment over the years. Many years ago only hand-held models existed and when the first hydraulic drills were launched over 30 years ago, these increased production and reduced labour needs. Since that time pneumatic drills, have come to market and these are driven by air compressors, which are common on many worksites while the units also have l
UK companies in traffic-monitoring project in Uganda
UK consultants, Roughton International, working on behalf of the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), teamed up with Sky High and Traffic Technology to deploy traffic flow data collection equipment suitable for the Ugandan road network.
Long life asphalt paving reduces maintenance
Contractor FM Conway is working on a three year contract with Dover Harbour Board to reconstruct and resurface busy access routes and large vehicle parks within the port.
One of the major factors for this contract being awarded was the company's strong green credentials. The contract is based around small and large individual paving projects within the Eastern Docks, which can range in time scales from three weeks to six months. The first phase of work, which started in early May, was to fully reconstruct
TomTom to provide real time traffic info for Dutch city
TomTom will provide the city of Purmerend with real time traffic information to optimise traffic flow.
Drilling rig meets the utility supply challenge
A tricky utility supply project has been carried out in difficult conditions in Germany, without disturbing a village access road. The drilling work for the project was operated by boring contractor Beermann and the site was located on a plateau some 5km from the nearest village.
New head of IRF road safety programme
IRF is pleased to announce the addition of Michael G Dreznes to the IRF Washington staff. Dreznes will serve as executive vice president with global leadership on training, policy and capacity-building activities across IRF's road safety programmes. "Mike has spent the last 26 years working to make roads safer around the world," said Patrick Sankey, president & CEO, IRF Washington. "He is recognised as one of the world's leading experts on roadside safety, pioneering the concept of Forgiving Highways, and w
Help the IRF to aid transportation training
Since the launch of the 20th anniversary campaign and thanks to the leadership of IRF Chairman Abdullah Al-Mogbel and the generous support of IRF Members, IRF Fellows, individual patrons and other organisations, pledges to the International Road Educational Foundation's Future Fund have now exceeded US$535,400 The endowment built over the last 20 years has been instrumental in supporting the Foundation's core mission of providing academic training to university graduates in fields related to the development
A key bridge project in Bangladesh will be financed by loans from Malaysia
Work on a key bridge link in Bangladesh is to be financed by a loan provided by Malaysia. The Bangladesh Government and Malaysian Government have signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of Padma bridge.
African nations
Plans for a new highway connecting the African nations of Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi are gathering pace. The project is likely to cost up to US$600 million to complete and will provide a key trade route between the nations, with the economies of Malawi and Mozambique in particular need of development, while Zambia's copper mining industry will benefit from the link.Some $23 million will be required to construct the first section of the road forming the Nacala Corridor.
Riga's newest bridge improved traffic flow
An alliance of companies has come together to realise major infrastructure projects in Latvia including its biggest bridge. Patrick Smith reports. Riga, the Latvian capital, has the finest collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe and its centre is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
China opens record-breaking bridge
China has opened the world's longest bridge over water, the 41.58km Jiaozhou Bay Bridge, which is said to have cost well over US$2 billion to build. It links the eastern port city of Qingdao to Huangdao Island across Jiaozhou Bay and is 4km longer than the previous longest bridge over water, the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana, USA. Opened in June, 2011 after four years of construction, the link is expected to carry some 30,000 vehicle/day and will reduce travel time by 30 minutes, although it is o
The French authorities aim to reduce highway risk by preventing drivers from falling asleep at the wheel
The authorities in France intend to reduce risks for road users on the country’s new highways. Research reveals that significant numbers of accidents occur when drivers fall asleep at the wheel. Plans to deal with this safety problem include installing rumble strips that would alert drivers should they stray from each lane.
IRF Road Scholar Program 'a tremendous success
IRF is continuing its proven programme of developing the skills and knowledge of young highway professionals Asked what his career goals are, Leslie Mills, an aspiring civil engineer from Ghana indicates he hopes, "...to be part of the next generation of African engineers that will help solve some of the fundamental ills affecting transportation infrastructure in Africa." The 63rd class of IRF fellows attended a 10 day IRF road scholar programme from January 18 to 27, 2012. "The potential of building a pro
Tunnel ventilation systems provide fresh air
Elta Fans supplied specialist ventilation fans for the A3 Hindhead Tunnel in Surrey, UK which opened in July this year.
HCME's new parts depot
The new Hitachi Construction Machinery (Europe)/HCME European Parts Depot has been officially opened. At the Oosterhout facility, southern Netherlands, the guest of honour was Hitachi Construction Machinery president Michijiro Kikawa, who gave a speech to other guests at the ceremony, among them Mitsuhiro Tabei, president of HCME. He then presented representatives from the parts depot with a special Japanese maple tree, which was planted in front of the building. In his address, Mr Kikawa emphasised the imp
The French authorities aim to reduce highway risk by preventing drivers from falling asleep at the wheel
The authorities in France intend to reduce risks for road users on the country’s new highways.
AEM “great disappointment” over US Highway Bill delay
A SENIOR American manufacturing association figure has renewed his call for Congress to pass a Highway Bill – after a 90-day extension of the US federal surface transport programme was agreed by the House of Representatives. Speaking as president of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and on behalf of US equipment manufacturers and the I Make America campaign, AEM president Dennis Slater said: "It has been 911 days and eight extensions since the last highway bill expired.
IRF senior executives professional development 2012
Register today for one of the world’s foremost continuing professional development programmes tailored to the needs of senior road professionals. Organised by the University of Birmingham (UK) in association with IRF Geneva, the Senior Road Executives (SRE) Programme has established an international reputation as an essential ‘must attend’ annual event for senior road professionals from across the world.
Asphalt plants looking at greener production systems
A wide variety of new equipment and technology to assist production at asphalt plants is about to be launched onto the market, while asphalt producers are continuing to look at greener working practices. Guy Woodford reports
Lintec, in partnership with Loesche, recently created what they say is the world's first containerised Coal Mill Plant for independent coal dust supply at the jobsite which offers mobility and high economic efficiency through the substitution of gas or oil with coal.
The mobile co
IRF Bulletin on the Environment & Climate Change
The latest IRF Bulletin is wholly devoted to issues of Environment & Climate Change as they impact on the road infrastructure sector. It features an authoritative but highly readable set of articles contributed by IRF members throughout the world. A comprehensive range of topics is covered in-depth, including policy & regulatory measures, tools for assessing, quantifying and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, technology advancements and mechanisms for adapting to climate change impacts.