Valerann Among Six Innovations in National Highways Trial Aimed at Protecting Road Users
But now, after National Highways launched a competition to find new ways to manage such hazards, six winning ideas are going to be trialled which could help to protect road users.
Working with Connected Places Catapult, the Hazard Protection on Roads Accelerator targeted small or medium enterprises that may not have worked with National Highways before and had some innovation gems to share in dealing with potential safety risks.
Having sifted through some 50 applications, a shortlist of nine organisations received funding, up to £30,000, to design trials for their ideas. Judges then had to whittle those down to five who would receive up to £60,000 additional funding to deliver the trials. However, competition was so fierce that they eventually decided to go forward with six of the projects rather than five.
The winning ideas include virtual reality training courses for drivers, sensors which automatically detect hazards and a data analysis platform. Between now and November, the six finalists will deliver their ideas in trials working with National Highways and its supply chain.
National Highways’ Technology Programme Portfolio Manager, James Gibson, said:
“We are delighted with the innovative ideas that we have discovered and very excited about how well they are developing – it was so difficult trying to choose the final products to take forward that ultimately we decided to add one more to the list.
“Safety is our priority and we are always looking for new and innovative ways to help better protect people who use or work on our roads. We are confident that through these trials we can find better ways of identifying, analysing and responding to hazards, that could ultimately help to prevent road accidents and people coming to harm on our roads.”
The six projects being taken forward are:
- Esitu Solutions (based in Nottingham): Esitu Solutions will be developing a virtual reality training course as a downloadable app for the Meta Quest headset to promote safer and more considerate driving. The trial will include testing with road users to assess its impact on confidence and intended driving behaviours.
- VESOS, (Devon): VESOS has developed TeCall to harvest eCall data automatically sent after collisions or breakdowns. During the trial TeCall will fuse eCall data with other hazard alerts producing detailed and validated incident data and adding greater context. These will be compared with corresponding data to measure its effectiveness and potential improvements in response times.
- VivaCity (London): VivaCity’s sensors provide data on hazardous interactions between road users (near misses), enabling safety teams to understand the causation of conflicts and collisions and enable better and more timely interventions to be planned. The trial will assess and compare the viability of collecting near miss data from VivaCity’s sensor and National Highways’ CCTV.
- Roadside Technologies (Chesterfield): Roadside Technologies is developing an automated hazardous object detection solution using the latest in sensing technology, to improve road user safety and enable smoother journeys through temporary work zones on roads. This will be tested across a 1-mile stretch of a live work zone to detect hazards.
- CrossTech (Wiltshire): CrossTech has developed a stopped vehicle detection verification system. The platform builds on the successful automated computer vision inspection platform from the rail industry, called Hubble. The trial will test the performance of this system by applying its computer vision analysis to over 100 hours of CCTV footage and comparing the outputs with event data from National Highway’s own systems.
- Valerann, (London): Valerann’s real-time road data analytics platform fuses data from a broad range of sources to deliver road traffic situation insights and accidents risk modelling, enabling proactive management of incidents and risks on the road. The product will be trialled by traffic officers in the West Midlands.
All finalists will be guided through a bespoke programme tailored to their requirements offering coaching and mentoring, business development opportunities and technical and procurement support.
Connected Places Catapult’s Executive Director of SME Development and Academic Engagement, Alex Weedon said:
“It is fantastic to see six cutting edge companies with exciting new technologies and solutions taking their ideas forward as part of the Hazard Protection on Roads Accelerator competition.
“Connected Places Catapult provides each of them with investment, business and marketing support; and I look forward to helping them develop their ideas and make good progress towards getting their innovations to be used in real world environments.”
How do we Shape the Future of Intelligent Transportation?
In the latest episode of the IRF Executives Talks series hosted by of the International Road Federation (IRF), Susanna Zammataro, IRF Director General, engages with Michael Schuch, CEO of SWARCO. Part of the "On the Road to Istanbul" series leading up to the IRF World Congress 2024 scheduled for 15-18 October 2024, this episode looks into SWARCO’s pioneering work on intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and the future of mobility.
With over five decades of industry experience, SWARCO stands as a global leader in road safety and intelligent traffic management. The Austrian traffic technology corporation offers a comprehensive range of products, systems, services, and turnkey solutions for road marking, urban and interurban traffic management, parking, and public transport.
“Our mission is about people: the citizen, the pedestrian, the cyclist, the driver—everyone. Our products, systems, and solutions must ensure that daily travel becomes as safe and convenient as possible, regardless of the chosen mode of transport,” emphasized Mr. Schuch.
Mr Schuch highlighted that SWARCO’s innovations are not only focused on enhancing road safety but also on reducing emissions and combating climate change. “Well-guided and smoother traffic flows lead to reduced emissions from transport, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change,” Schuch noted.
Innovative Technology Driving Progress
During the conversation, Schuch elaborated on SWARCO’s cutting-edge use of technology, emphasizing the company’s role in pioneering energy-saving LED technology for traffic lights and advancing road marking systems that cater to the needs of autonomous vehicles. "It's not just about cutting-edge technology” Schuch remarked, "It's about adding real value by helping our customers tackle the mobility challenges they face today and in the future."
One remarkable example Schuch shared was SWARCO’s work in Switzerland, where the introduction of high-performance SOLIDPLUS beads in road markings has significantly improved night-time visibility, bringing fatalities down to near zero. This innovation, now being adopted worldwide, exemplifies how SWARCO is shaping the future of intelligent transport.
Challenges and the Path Forward
Despite these advancements, Schuch acknowledged that the journey is not without its challenges. He pointed out that outdated infrastructure and fragmented regulations remain significant hurdles. "The real challenge lies in moving beyond pilot projects to wide-scale deployment," he stated. "Increased investment in road maintenance and the harmonisation of regulations across regions are essential steps to creating safer, more efficient roads."
SWARCO at the IRF World Congress 2024
Looking ahead to the IRF World Congress 2024 in Istanbul this October, Schuch emphasized the importance of industry gatherings for fostering collaboration and innovation and why SWARCO is supporting the event as a Gold Sponsor.
"I think gatherings like the IRF World Congress are vital not only for our industry but in general," Schuch stated. "The IRF's strong global network helps strengthen ties within existing markets and, more importantly, opens up new ones. It’s a great platform for industry leaders to exchange ideas, showcase innovations, and collaborate on solutions—not just for today’s challenges but also for those on the horizon. Discussions on future trends and how we can jointly address them are crucial."
The 3-day Congress includes 5.000sqm exhibition area where SWARCO, on booth nº 217, will showcase an expanded version of their “Go Green Virtual Reality Experience,” demonstrating how ITS solutions can reduce air pollution and improve traffic flow.
For more information about SWARCO’s participation at the Congress, or to schedule meetings with their team, reach out to the IRF at irf2024@irfnet.ch.
Watch the discussion
PE Roads of Serbia Launches New Educational Campaigns
Public Enterprise "Roads of Serbia" has officially launched two new educational campaigns aimed at improving traffic safety on national roads. The campaigns, titled "Safely through the tunnel" and "We are not alone in the tunnel," focus on educating drivers and all road users about safe behaviour in tunnels during both regular traffic conditions and emergency situations.
The campaign slogans accurately, graphically and clearly represent essential information for all traffic participants that PE "Roads of Serbia" implements as a socially responsible company, which manages the state road network in the Republic of Serbia.
The "Safely through the Tunnel" campaign aims to educate drivers on safe behaviour in tunnels under normal traffic conditions. The following actions should be taken before entering and while driving in a tunnel:
Before Entering and While Driving in the Tunnel:
- Obey the speed limit.
- Maintain a safe distance.
- Use low beams.
- Remove sunglasses.
- Close windows and turn on air circulation in the vehicle.
- Check fuel levels and engine temperature.
- Extinguish any cigarettes.
- Do not stop in the tunnel, except in emergencies and only in designated stopping areas.
- U-turns are prohibited.
- Reversing is not allowed.
- Turn off the engine if the vehicle is stopped for more than one minute.
The "We are not Alone in the Tunnel" campaign is designed to educate drivers on safe behaviour in tunnels during emergency situations that may endanger the lives of road users.
In the event of vehicle breakdown
- Turn on hazard lights.
- Safely stop the vehicle in a designated stopping area, or as close to the right edge of the road as possible.
- Turn off the engine and leave the key in the ignition.
- Put on a reflective vest and exit the vehicle on the right side.
- Place a warning triangle behind the stopped vehicle in the prescribed manner.
- Call for help from the SOS niche.
- Wait for the arrival of the emergency services.
In the event of fire
- If a fire starts in your vehicle and you can, drive it out of the tunnel to a safe location. If not, stop the vehicle in a way that does not endanger the safety of other road users.
- Turn on hazard lights.
- Turn off the engine and leave the key in the ignition.
- Put on a reflective vest and exit the vehicle.
- Help others in your vehicle to leave the scene of the fire as quickly as possible.
- Extinguish the fire in its early stages using a fire extinguisher from the vehicle or the apparatus located in the SOS niche, while ensuring your own safety.
- Activate the nearest manual fire alarm.
- If you cannot extinguish the fire, move to a safe distance and follow the instructions broadcast over the tunnel’s loudspeaker.
- Start evacuating the tunnel by following the evacuation route signs to the nearest exit.
- Be mindful of passing emergency vehicles.
- Follow the instructions of the fire and rescue units during firefighting operations.
These campaigns are carried out by Public Enterprise "Roads of Serbia," with the support of the Ministry of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, and the Ministry of Interior. PE "Roads of Serbia" has prepared educational videos, posters, social media announcements, and informational flyers in both Serbian and English. Guided by the belief that road accidents can be prevented, PE "Roads of Serbia" will continue to work systematically to raise awareness among all road users.
#SaferRoadsPledge Campaign Launches
The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP), the International Road Federation (IRF) and the FIA Foundation have launched a #SaferRoadsPledge campaign calling on organisations involved in designing and financing roads to pledge their commitment to safer roads ahead of the 4th Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety.
From 17-20 February 2025, leaders from across the world will gather at the Ministerial Conference in Morocco. They will assess progress made in implementing the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 during its initial five-year period, and generate support for the new vision of safe and sustainable mobility.
IRAP CEO Rob McInerney said, “Tragically, more than 3,200 people lose their lives on our roads every day. Road crashes are the leading cause of death for young people.
“We know road infrastructure rated 3-star or better for safety saves lives and prevents injuries, yet sadly less than half of roads assessed globally meet this standard. We have just five years to reach the UN global target of halving road deaths and injuries by 2030 and accelerated action on safer roads will be crucial.” he said.
The Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety recommends using Road Safety Audits and Star Ratings to lift the safety of roads and designs. UN Targets 3 and 4 include ensuring all new roads are built to a 3-star or better standard for all road users, and more than 75% of travel is on the equivalent of 3-star or better roads for all road users by 2030.
Road designers and financing institutions from the government and private sector are called on to commit their support for safer roads that enable more sustainable mobility. In support of the UN Road Safety Performance Targets 3 and 4, they are called on to commit to including Road Safety Audits, Inspections and Star Rating Assessments for new and improved road designs, and/or to undertaking crash-risk mapping and proactive safety assessments and inspections that target investment in safer infrastructure and safer speeds to meet at least a standard of 3-stars or better for all road users by 2030.
Evidence shows that lifting the Star Rating of a road by a singlestar can halve crash costs, and that safer 3-star or better roads for all will save lives and are cost effective. The independent study by Johns Hopkins University has found that iRAP partners worldwide have saved an estimated 700,000 fatalities and serious injuries through investment in safer road projects from 2016 to the end of 2024 using the iRAP tools.
Pledges made during the campaign will be presented to global leaders during the Ministerial Conference to support advocacy for, and investment in safer roads at the highest level.
They will also be presented at the IRF World Congress 2024 in Istanbul from 14-18 October, where safe roads and designs will be an important focus.
During the congress, a High-level Roundtable: Shaping the Future of Road Designs for Safe and Sustainable Mobility will convene leaders in road infrastructure development to tackle the challenge of closing the road safety gap by 2030. Participants will share best practices, along with roadblocks and opportunities to elevate safety in road design globally, seeking to forge consensus and accelerate progress towards the Ministerial Conference.
A special iRAP Practical Skills training will build the capacity of road designers in Audits and use of the enhanced Star Rating for Designs web app developed with support from the World Bank Global Road Safety Facility.
IRF Director General Susanna Zammataro said, “How we design and build/upgrade infrastructure can truly make the difference and help save precious lives. Safe road design - together with policy and capacity building to support it - is crucial to achieving safe and sustainable mobility for all. IRF encourages all design and financing agencies to join and support the pledge.”
FIA Foundation Executive Director Saul Billingsley said, “Hundreds of thousands of deaths and serious injuries are being prevented through safe road design, and upgrades. Now we need to see greater and uncompromising commitment from design agencies and financing institutions to deliver safer road infrastructure that meets the targets of the Road Safety Decade and the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Organisations and individuals can pledge at irap.org/pledge.
ABOUT IRF
The International Road Federation (IRF) is a global, independent, not-for-profit organisation with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Active since 1948, IRF is a membership-based organisation, representing leading corporate and institutional players drawn from the road and mobility sectors worldwide. Its mission is to promote the development of roads and road networks that enable access and sustainable mobility for all. Its approach is centred on key strategic components of knowledge transfer & information sharing, connecting people, businesses, and organisations, and working on policy & advocacy.
ABOUT iRAP
The International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP) is a registered charity with the vision for a world free of high-risk roads. The charity is active in over 125 countries and works with governments, development banks, mobility clubs, industry, research organisations and road safety NGOs to provide them with the free methodology, tools, training, and support to make their roads safer. iRAP’s Star Rating Methodology provides a simple and objective measure of the level of safety which is ‘built-in’ to the road for vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. A 1-star road is the least safe and a 5-star road is the safest. iRAP’s Safety Insights Explorer is a valuable online resource unlocking the potential of the world’s largest road infrastructure safety database to explore the human and financial impact of road injury, how safe the world’s roads are, and provide the Business Case for Safer Roads. As at June 2024, 1.9 million kilometres of Star Ratings of roads and designs (including 1,638 schools) and 1.8 million kilometres of Crash Risk Mapping and have been performed by iRAP partners in 128 countries, informing the safety of 103 billion USD of road infrastructure investments. 73,000 people have been trained. iRAP is the umbrella programme for regional road assessment programmes including IndiaRAP, BrazilRAP, BrazilRAP Sao Paulo, AusRAP, ChinaRAP, usRAP, KiwiRAP, South Africa RAP, ThaiRAP, TanRAP, KSARAP and MyRAP. The charity’s tools and support are made freely available thanks to the support of major donor the FIA Foundation and current supporting donors Aleatica Foundation, 3M and Prudence Foundation.
ABOUT FIA FOUNDATION
The FIA Foundation is an independent UK registered charity which supports an international programme of activities promoting safe roads, clean air, and climate action.
FIA Foundation is the funder of iRAP’s core work.
