A new system to protect highways teams at work access points has been successfully launched in the East Midlands and is now being deployed across the UK.
Devised by Colas and development partners Solar and Electric Gates Ltd (S&EG), the new Readi-Guard system opens the access gate to work areas remotely removing the need for manual operation.
The remote system will help protect operatives from motorists who attempt to breach barriers and enter restricted work zones, while allowing authorised vehicles into the designated work area.
The Readi-Guard in action
In a statement, Colas said that after a trial in Highways England’s Area 7 (East Midlands) ‘keen interest’ from the government-owned highways operator has seen the system deployed in other areas.
Ryan Wood, technical manager at Colas said: ‘The traffic management access gate is a well thought-out solution to an issue that poses considerable risk to our workforce and the wider traffic management community.
‘Working with S&EG we have been able to develop a system that eliminates exposure to live traffic in situations when operatives are required to open works accesses. It is designed for ease of deployment and use in short term works but is equally suited to longer term work sites.’
The system was developed for the Joint Venture A-One+, which brings together Halcrow Group Ltd, Colas Ltd or Costain Group Plc.
Dennis Gregg, associate director for Colas and A-one+ JV Board Member added: ‘A Traffic Management Operatives’ workplace is among one of the most dangerous and vulnerable places to be and the behaviour of drivers in passing vehicles is an increasing problem. Abuse to road workers should not be overlooked and is unfortunately a regular event in their chosen career.
'A particular area of concern where both road worker and the public interact is at works access points, which are required to be manually opened and closed to allow construction vehicles to enter and exit a site.
‘The innovative gate removes the road worker from this exposure and creates a safer environment through the remote operation of access point therefore eliminating the potential for confrontation from members of the public.’
Surveyor's Highway Management conference will take place on September 23rd and 24th in Manchester. To register go to: www.highway.surveyorevents.com
