Carbon emissions from Dutch road networks could be reduced by almost a third if more innovative materials and processes were used, a new study suggests. Researchers assessed the potential benefits associated with 10 innovations in road construction and maintenance, and compared them to conventional materials and processes.

Governments and funding bodies are increasingly evaluating the ‘impact’ of academic research. There are growing discussions about impact – what it means, and how it can be demonstrated – and it is a challenge to evaluate impact on society. This study investigated the broader benefits of scientific research, beyond technology development, to support more comprehensive evaluations of science.

Particles from vehicle emissions are not the only traffic-related factor that causes deterioration of air quality in cities. Suspended road dust, caused by studded tyres, road salt and sand used in winter, may be at least as important in contributing to mortality rates, according to a new study in Stockholm, which suggests that these coarse particles should be controlled separately to fine particles.

A Crisil note said due to the aggressive play by the telcos, the number of subscribers has stagnated at 19 million since 2016. Till now, the lower speed 4G served the purpose for people due to affordable smartphones, it noted. "But now, subscriptions to fixed broadband, especially in the urban areas, have surged because millions are working from home...," it said.

Wild animals are more likely to be hit by vehicles during times where roads have poorer surface conditions and during periods of low light, according to a study of moose in Sweden. The researchers emphasise that it is not possible to accurately predict hotspots for wildlife collisions using data on the movement of the animals alone, and suggest that efforts to reduce accidents should focus on driver awareness and road conditions.

Drainage tunnels running under roads can provide small animals with safe road crossings, mitigating habitat fragmentation, a new study has confirmed. The researchers suggest that the tunnel design can be further improved to aid animal movements, for example, by providing dry ledges to ensure the routes are still available in times of high rainfall.

Moose avoid roads during day when human activity is highest, new research suggests. Monitoring moose movements in Sweden, researchers have found that the probability of moose being near roads drops after 06:00 and only rises again at approximately 18:00.

Roads reduce the species diversity and distribution of frogs and toads, a new US study reports. The large-scale study used data from a national citizen science programme in which members of the public help monitor amphibian populations.

Herbicides in aquatic environments can have negative consequences on local plant life. This study investigated the effects of glyphosate, one of the most widely used herbicides in the world, on a marine plant species. The herbicide caused significant changes to the plant, reducing the number and chlorophyll content of leaves, and high concentrations were lethal. The authors say use of this chemical may be dangerous to plants in estuaries.

A new study shows that run-off from de-icing road salts can affect freshwater aquatic ecosystems by increasing certain types of plankton. The study is the first to compare effects of the most popular road salt, sodium chloride, with the effects of alternative salts and additives used to increase de-icing efficiency. Based on their findings, the researchers recommend that magnesium chloride and salt additives are used cautiously near water bodies.

The presence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water is an emerging health concern. DBPs come in many classes and are chemically diverse, making them challenging to monitor. Swedish researchers have evaluated a new method for the simultaneous determination of a broader range of DBPs than typically possible using other available techniques. The method uses gas chromatography (a laboratory technique that separates and analyses vaporisable compounds in a mixture), together with a halogen-specific detector (XSD). Having been tested in real water samples from two municipal waterworks in Sweden, the method has been optimised for the simultaneous determination of a wide range of neutral DBPs.

Living near busy roads is associated with an increased risk of childhood leukaemia, according to French researchers. The study found that children living within 500 metres of major roads were more likely to develop leukaemia than those who lived far from such roads. It is possible that high levels of traffic pollution from the roads are responsible for the higher rates of the illness.

The nitrogen dioxides (NOX) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of some light-duty petrol and diesel vehicles are higher during on-road driving than during standard laboratory tests, according to a new study. This means that in normal on-road driving, light-duty vehicles, which include passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, may exceed European emissions limits and could be having a greater impact on urban air quality than previously thought.

More Europeans are driving diesel cars, with important implications for vehicle emissions. A new study suggests that diesel cars may emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) at levels far higher than emissions standards, even when considering the newest generation of diesel cars. Part of the problem is that tests of vehicle emissions in the laboratory do not accurately reflect on-road emissions.

High blood pressure is linked to long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution, new research suggests. After accounting for lifestyle factors, socioeconomic status and pre-existing health conditions, the researchers found that a rise in traffic emissions of nitrogen dioxide corresponded to a rise in blood pressure of exposed individuals.

Traces of animals’ DNA in the environment, known as environmental DNA (eDNA), can be monitored to paint a picture of biodiversity, new research shows. This study used eDNA to assess biodiversity in an entire river catchment in Switzerland. Importantly, the eDNA technique allowed the researchers to detect both aquatic and land-based species in river water, making it possible to assess biodiversity over a broad scale.

SUFFOLK – VDOT Hampton Roads employees celebrated a major address change today with a ribbon-cutting at their new north Suffolk headquarters. The...

SUFFOLK – The Virginia Department of Transportation Hampton Roads District (VDOT) is suspending lane closures on Interstate 64 and Interstate 664...

SUFFOLK– As Hurricane Florence approaches the coast, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District continues to monitor...

SUFFOLK – While landfall of Hurricane Florence is imminent along the North Carolina coast, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton...

VIRGINIA BEACH – The Virginia Department of Transportation Hampton Roads District continues to monitor interstate and rural road conditions while...

SUFFOLK– As Tropical Storm Michael approaches, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District stands ready to respond to...

WE’VE come to respect Lexus as a brand that delivers comfort and refinement in luxurious cars.

UPDATE 2: Crews need a few additional days to complete the bridge project on Route 657 (Apple Grove Road) in Louisa County due to the recent snow...

CULPEPER — The Virginia Department of Transportation has begun rehabilitating the Route 707 (Blair Park Road) bridge over Lickinghole Creek in...

CULPEPER — The Virginia Department of Transportation will close the Route 674 (Clark Road) bridge over a branch of the Moormans River in Albemarle...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will open the new overpass on Mudd Tavern Road tomorrow , Oct. 23  in...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ⸺  Route 202 (Hampton Hall Road) in Northumberland County reopened to through traffic today following an emergency repair...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ⸺  Long-term repair work is underway to rebuild state-maintained roads that sustained severe damage during Tropical Storm...

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. ˗˗  CSX will close Lansdowne Road in Fredericksburg to through traffic on Monday, Nov. 12 through early  Saturday, Nov. 17  to...

South Chesterfield – Virginia Department of Transportation crews continue recovery operations from the impacts of Tropical Storm Michael....

South Chesterfield – Remnants of Tropical Storm Michael left portions of Virginia, including the VDOT Richmond District, covered in water and...

South Chesterfield – Approximately 100 roads in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Richmond District have reopened as crews continue...

South Chesterfield – More than 150 roads in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Richmond District have reopened as crews continue recovery...

The Gholson Bridge on Iron Bridge Road (Route 715) runs over the Meherrin River NORTH CHESTERFIELD —The Virginia Department of Transportation...

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews have repaired and reopened over 200 roads and bridges that were affected by...

South Chesterfield, Va. — A Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) project began this week to widen Cedar Level Road between Cobblestone...

ASHBURN – Due to inclement weather early in the closure that began Sept. 24, Old Ryan Road between the southern Mooreview Parkway intersection and...

MANTUA – Glenbrook Road between Little River Turnpike (Route 236) and Denise Lane will be closed to through traffic from 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29 to 5...

LEESBURG – The two-lane Cochran Mill Road (Route 653) bridge over Tuscarora Creek has been reduced to one lane of alternating traffic until further...

NEWINGTON – Backlick Road at the Fairfax County Parkway (Route 286) intersection between Cinder Bed Road and Terminal Road will be closed nightly...

FAIRFAX – Due to weather delays, the closure of Popes Head Road (Route 654) between Colchester Road (Route 612) and Fairfax County Parkway (Route...

LYNCHBURG – Motorists who use Odd Fellows Road from the US 29 Business Lynchburg Expressway to access the Main Post Office, Division of Motor Vehicles or other businesses/organizations in the immediate area will need to use alternate routes beginning Monday, October 8. The bridge on Odd Fellows Road over the railroad will be closed for approximately one year beginning that date for replacement.

LYNCHBURG —What a difference a day makes. At least as far as the weather is concerned. The heavy rain and strong winds from yesterday have given way to sunny skies and a calm breeze. Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Michael’s aftermath remains a reminder.

LYNCHBURG – Remnants of the Hurricane Michael left portions of Virginia, including the ten-county VDOT Lynchburg District covered in water and debris. Numerous road closures are reported due to flooding or downed trees/power lines and repairs may be lengthy at some locations.

LYNCHBURG —(4 pm) Road conditions have improved across the Lynchburg District this weekend; however, approximately 140 roads remain closed from the effects of Tropical Storm Michael late last week. Motorists, particularly those in Halifax and Pittsylvania counties, should prepare now for their morning commute. Several detours are in place and can be expected to add time to travel. In addition, caution is urged as some may be unfamiliar with the routes being used.

LYNCHBURG —Over a week after the rain and wind of Tropical Storm Michael took aim on the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Transportation continues to assess roads and bridges in the Lynchburg District affected by the storm. By the time Michael exited the area, over 220 road and 360 structures were under water and as of today (Friday, October 19) only six short-term closures, in addition to the long-term closures below, remain.

Watford’s survival hopes have suffered another blow after they threw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to ten-man Everton at the death at Vicarage Road.

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