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The US Department of Transportation's Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) has released the following three research reports related to Connected Vehicle policy.

Morocco’s highway network continues to improve and develop, with new sections and connections being opened.

Danish company DELTA is introducing its new RetroSign GR3 Retroreflectometer for quality control and asset management of road signs and retroreflective materials with laboratory precision. The company says that to achieve these goals the triple geometry retroreflectometer is offered with GPS and RFID (radio frequency identification) reader.

A low level of investment in improvements and upgrades to Germany’s highway network is causing concern in the country’s transport sector. Some states have revealed a backlog of works needing to be carried out, with road surfaces now reaching the end of their design life and bridges requiring replacement in different parts of the country. Transport groups say that continuing low road maintenance budgets will further exacerbate the problem.

Australian toll-road owner and investor, Transurban, said its “true defensive nature” appeal to investors had enabled it to achieve a 27.1% increase in net profit.

Komatsu said commercial availability of hybrid technology for the European construction equipment market is now available, in the guise of the Hybrid HB215LC-1 excavator. As a second-generation hybrid excavator, the HB215LC-1 replaces the PC200-8 Hybrid with an operating weight of 21tonnes and bucket sizes ranging from 0.8-1.05m3.

The improved LTL-X retrometer from specialist DELTA offers new features over the model it replaces. The LTL-X is equipped with advanced new technology and is the fourth generation retrometer from the firm. The unit now has a retractable handle and an integrated display and is said to be easier to use than its predecessor. Measurements and settings of road and user ID, line type, measurement averages, instrument status and languages can be made simply by touching the control pad. Optional GPS values are show

MIT has been selected to lead the US Department of Transportation Research & Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) University Transportation Center (UTC) for the New England Region. The programme strives to advance research and education programmes that address critical transportation challenges.

Hamm is launching a range of compaction equipment at Intermat. Alongside the 20tonne H20i with its stage IIIB 160kW six-cylinder diesel engine and diesel particulate filter are the HD+ series of tandem rollers. There are 12 models in the new HD+ series from nine to 15 tonnes. The range includes vibration, oscillation and combination rollers as well as models with split drums.

Aberdeen City Council in Scotland has approved plans that will introduce a dozen hydrogen-powered buses to the city's services.

With a bucket capacity of two cubic metres, the DL200-3 is another in the Doosan line that benefits from a stage IIIB emissions compliant engine. And with it, Doosan has taken the opportunity to freshen up the 12,200kg loader. In addition to the 118kW DL06 engine, the loader gets a new cab offering better visibility, a revised hydraulic system with load sensing, and ZF axles with limited slip differentials.

Case Construction Equipment has expanded its F Series wheeled loader range with the introduction of the 521F and 621F. Using a central cooling pack design and rear-mounted engine layout, Case said these two models bring new levels of performance to the loader market. With bucket capacities of 3.2tonnes and 4.3tonnes

Volvo’s two compact hydrostatic wheeled loaders, the nine and 10 tonne L45 and L50, have been upgraded to G-series specification. It means the compact loaders get a transversely-mounted, four-cylinder D4H engine that gives 74-86kW, and drives a twin-range hydrostatic transmission with 100% locking differentials on both axles.

Ammann’s ASC 110 and 150 ACE Pro single drum rollers will also be launched at INTERMAT. Powered by Cummins QSB 4.5 engines and with operating weights of 11,260kg and 15,210kg, the two new models offer intelligent compaction using continuous compaction control (CCC). Frequency ranges are 27–35Hz and 27–36 Hz respectively, while static line loads are 34.5kg/cm for the 110 model and 51.2kg/cm for the heavier 150.

Manitou Group (MG) president Jean-Christophe Giroux says the Group will look to double its business in the next three to four years after revenue rose by 35% to US$1.13billion in 2011. Speaking on the publication of details of MG’s FY11 performance Giroux, who is also the French construction, industry and agricultural machinery

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.

The cost of the Swiss road tax vignette will more than double to US$106.50 per year from just over $40 at present. With the extra money raised, the Swiss Federal Council wants to tackle congestion on the roads throughout the country and also extend the road network.

Recent months have seen many major and vital road marking projects and products completed and tested in different parts of the world. Guy Woodford looks at some of them in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa. The London borough of Kensington and Chelsea now has one of the most dramatic streetscape designs in Europe. Exhibition Road’s striking chequered granite design, featuring a single surface running from South Kensington Station to Hyde Park and the full width of the road from building to b

The array of initiatives such as the ‘Plugged-in Place’ project and eco incentive programmes in diverse locations of the United Kingdom, have made the ownership and the use of electric vehicles a reasonable option.

The authorities in the Peruvian city of Lima are planning the construction of a tunnel to connect with Huancayo. A budget of US$1.86 million has been set to pay for a feasibility study into the project.