Three novel machines are set to appear on England’s trunk network this summer, as the Highways Agency trials new technology which could reduce danger and delays at road works.
An American moveable barrier vehicle and two prototype cone-laying machines – developed by rival inventors – will be put to the test. Agency engineers have high hopes the innovations will cut the heavy casualty toll among roadworkers – while streamlining temporary traffic management operations.
Alluding to the upcoming trials last week, roads minister, Dr Stephen Ladyman said the 2005 casualty figures ‘were simply unacceptable’. More than twice as many operatives died as in any year this decade, and 12 suffered major injuries. The agency has taken a two-year lease on a £500,000 transfer vehicle and more than 3km of precast concrete sections from Barrier Systems Inc of California. Recently delivered to its M23 depot, these 680kg units can be assembled on the hard shoulder before the vehicle moves the QuickChange barrier across the highway at a rate of 10kmph. A 6m working width of highway can be returned to traffic use in one pass for peak periods.
The vehicle is always protected from traffic passing either side by the barrier. ‘We’re excited by the prospect,’ said Mike Greenhalgh, the HA’s team leader of safe traffic management and operations. Traffic management could be put in place after the morning rush hour rather than the night before, he explained. ‘In the right locations, it will offer significant savings and increase traffic flow,’ said Steve Powell, sales director of UK distributor Highway Care. The ‘reactive tension barrier’ had a lower deflection than temporary steel barrier and could be realigned by the transfer vehicle after heavy impacts.
A similar model for permanent tidal flow applications, which can move the barrier up to 8m at 15kmph, would obviate the need for a spare buffer lane on the Aston Expressway, he added. Barrier transfer vehicles have been in use for 15 years and there are 75 worldwide. By contrast, there were currently no mechanised cone-layers which could set out a 200m taper, said Greenhalgh.
Two machines – independently developed by Irish inventors – promise to meet that requirement and also place lamps at specified intervals. The first will be trialled in Area 9 within the next few weeks by HA contractor Amey-Mouchel. The other prototype is ‘not far behind’, and will be tested elsewhere. Both had shown to be effective on test tracks but needed to be proven in live conditions, he said.
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