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Compact compaction units are delivering increased performance – Mike Woof reports. Competition is tough in the market for non-ride-on compaction units, with two manufacturers now introducing revamped models. Both JCB and Wacker Neuson aim to claim a larger section of the market with their latest designs, compaction plates and remote-controlled trench rollers respectively.

The shortlist of three bidders for the US$942million (£600m) plus Mersey Gateway Project in North West England has been revealed.

The new noise-damped cab for Volvo‘s single drum soil compactors is said to make the machines more comfortable to operate for a full working shift. The comprehensively redesigned one-piece cab is now fitted on Volvo’s latest SD70, SD77, SD115, SD130 and SD160 single drum soil compactors. The noise damping is said to radically reduce the sound levels at the operator’s ear, which is said to cut fatigue levels over the full working shift.

A key transport industry report has called for a 20-year transport infrastructure plan, while also highlighting the short-term need for more private sector investment.

A senior US manufacturing association figure said congressmen will be getting lobbied by a 20,000-strong campaign movement calling for the swift adoption of highway bills aimed at generating jobs and new transport infrastructure.

The Japanese Government is providing funds to help Nepal build 33 bridges to connect villages with the Sindhuli Road.

Construction of Vietnam’s Da Nang - Quang Ngai Expressway is due to commence at the end of 2012.

The Wirtgen Group is developing its manufacturing facilities outside of Germany. The company has extensive operations in Brazil and China and has now opened a new plant in India, which has started production already. Joint president Stefan Wirtgen said, “The first machine we made was a Hamm compactor. It is specially developed for the Indian market.”

Official approval has been given by the Chinese authorities for a new bridge that will link China with Vietnam.

New machines are now coming to the international market, with Chinese firms producing a particularly strong showing. At the last BICES exhibition in Chinese capital Beijing, one of the most notable developments was how many of the country’s equipment manufacturers now offer ranges of soil compaction and/or asphalt compaction equipment.

Effective compaction control is one of a series of technical innovations boosting performance efficiency – Mike Woof writes. Maximising compaction efficiency can be a major cost factor on construction projects. Both for soil and asphalt compaction sectors, the risk from leaving an area under or over-compacted is substantial.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has approved the selection of HDR to perform the I-710 Corridor Project North Utility study.

German Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer has announced that the government is currently preparing to invite tenders from companies and consortia throughout Europe for the collection of Germany’s truck toll scheme,

Boomerang Systems, a designer and manufacturer of automated robotic parking and self-storage systems, has been contracted to supply 249 parking spaces utilising its RoboticValet parking system in the Metropolitan Project in Atlantic City,

The ongoing Highways Agency A66 Carkin Moor to Scotch Corner project involves upgrading the original single carriageway to address safety concerns, particularly at junctions and crossings. Where differential settlement is threatening a remodelled junction, Tensar International's new TriAx geogrid provides an additional dimension of stability, saving design and build contractors Balfour Beatty Regional Civil Engineering Limited (BBRCEL) the heavy time and costs inherent in conventional remedial solutions and

World of Asphalt 2012 and the co-located AGG1 Aggregates Forum & Expo will be the largest in the history of the two events. Guy Woodford reports on some of the technology and equipment set to be on show. With over 6,500m² of exhibit space available, World of Asphalt 2012 (WoA) is among the global showpiece events of the year for all asphalt, pavement maintenance and traffic safety industry professionals.

Tensar is making some key moves internationally, as well as in terms of market segments. The company is now marketing the GlasGrid range in the US and expects to develop healthy sales, however it sees major growth potential with the Geogrid product range. Jim Penman, director for bi-axial products & applications said: "One area we're moving into is base reinforcement and in particular what we're looking at is mechanistic emirical (ME) technology." Tensar has worked with the University of Illinois on a new d

The US$2.23billion (€1.7billion) contract to build the Pedemontana Lombarda motorway in northern Italy has been won by the Strabag consortium.

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.

This Ecuadorian pick-up truck proves so popular with passengers that is has standing room only: image courtesy of World Highways reader Jaime Erazo Pastor.