Features

Forthcoming emissions legislation is requiring engine firms to invest in new technology, writes Mike Woof

By 2040 European roads could be built differently, and hopefully be safer, according to the EU research programme NR2C

A study indicates that road transport for passengers and goods will keep its pivotal role among other modes like rail or inland waterways

Public consultation is nearing completion on the sensitive issue of internalising external costs to make transport users pay for the perceived negative effects they inflict on society, including air pollution, CO2 emissions, accidents and congestion. Within six months a universal model will be unveiled by the European Commission (EC).

The Indian businessman, Rohit Baluja, has become one of the most articulate and outspoken advocates of road safety in developing countries. A leading figure in his country’s shoe industry, Baluja was converted to the cause that has become his lifelong passion during regular business trips to Europe

The latest asphalt testing equipment brought onto the market is both innovative and highly accurate as Kristina Smith reports Advanced pavement design requires advanced test equipment. And advanced test equipment takes time and money to design, engineer and produce. But if your expensive testing machine could perform a few more tricks, buying one would make financial sense to more organisations. This is the thinking behind IPC Global’s new Uniaxial Fatigue Test Kit for its Asphalt Performance Mixer Tes

The European Commission is proposing that part of its controversial new Anti-Tampering regulations for motorcycles should be re-written to prevent custom motorcycle builders from using long-forks. This is the latest in a series of requirements in the regulations to attracted criticisms from motorcycle manufacturers, dealers, safety campaigners and enthusiasts groups.

North Africa is seeing construction business return - Mike Woof reports After a troubled period, stability looks to be returning to North African nations, which can only be good for the road construction sector. First Tunisia, then Egypt and finally Libya saw tumultuous revolts against the previous autocratic (and in one case at least, despotic) rulers. All three nations are now benefiting from a return to stability, with economic growth also improving once more.

The world's largest tunnelling machine is completing Italy's important road connection between Bologna and Florence - Adrian Greeman reports For just under a decade a huge programme of highway construction has been underway in the mountainous region between Bologna and Florence, realigning a section of the A1 highway nearly 70km long. The new section, through major tunnels and across high viaducts, will greatly increase capacity on Italy's most important highway.

The improvements to articulated dump trucks (ADTs) have been substantial in recent years. Comparing a present day machine with one from 20 or even just 10 years ago shows how far design has come. Major improvements have been made in visibility, operator comfort levels, rough terrain performance, driveline efficiency and productivity, to name but a few key areas. All of the latest generation ADTs available on the world market now come with Tier 3/Stage IIIA compliant diesels that produce far lower noise and

Rapid growth in a major Australian city in recent years has created new problems for the infrastructure and especially transport Expansion in the city of Brisbane, the Queensland state capital and the third largest city in the country, is set to continue and some 1,500 people arrive/week from within Australia and from other parts of the world. At this rate by 2026 the city's population should increase by 1.4 million: at present it is 1.8 million. To cope, the Queensland government and city council have ini

A massive AU$2 billion update of the Gateway Motorway in Queensland is underway to improve an infrastructure stretched by population boom. Report and photographs by Adrian Greeman Just 20 years after the Australian city of Brisbane built its Gateway Motorway with a high slim signature bridge dominating the river skyline, the road is being completely revamped. Some 12km of urban route on the south of the Brisbane River is being expanded to take much increased traffic levels; the north is getting a completely

Political hostility to a toll road project in Australia has been turned around by the quality and amenity of the project writes Adrian Greeman Cars, trucks and vans were taking to the new EastLink toll road in Melbourne with enthusiasm this July, pleased to try out its 39km route for time and cost savings. As well as the convenience of the uncongested route, drivers were also able to view an extraordinary multi-shaded perspective of transparent green and orange noise wall panels, burnt earth-coloured retai

Australia's GDP could see a major increase if traffic bottlenecks in big cities were to be removed, and the government is addressing this as a matter of urgency A modern road system is a must in Australia where it is estimated that the removal of traffic bottlenecks could potentially raise the country's GDP by 0.8%. According to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA), which made the prediction, infrastructure bottlenecks (particularly in cities, which account for over 70% of the country'

Predictions of impending doom for Australia's roads infrastructure have given the nation's governments and roads stakeholders the fright they needed to collaborate on roads policy. If the latest initiatives Australia is putting in place do produce the full extent of the roads reform required, there will be some lessons there for the whole world Whether through pride or stubbornness, or a combination of both, each state and territory of Australia has always liked to do things its own way. To some extent and