Taking a risk-based approach to network safety management
Recent estimates suggest there are in excess of 40 million road users in the UK, with road network safety management absolutely crucial because it directly impacts the safety and wellbeing of road users, influences maintenance priorities, impacts traffic flow, delivers cost and environmental savings, and drives public confidence.
We support road safety management through the provision of network- and scheme-level safety assessments, including skid resistance surveys, which assess the frictional properties of the pavement surface to identify high-risk locations, and iRAP, which is an internationally-recognised methodology for evaluating road safety risks based on factors such as road design, traffic volumes, and environmental conditions.
Through effective network safety management and a skid based policy, our clients are able to deliver real-world reductions in the volume and severity of road traffic accidents, as well as bringing about improvements in road network connectivity and travel times. With an ever greater focus being applied to the principal of resilient networks, which are made up of network routes that are considered essential for economic activity and for key services in the event of extreme weather events, major incidents and other disruption, effective network safety monitoring and management is becoming more and more important. Our network safety surveys can be undertaken at a variety of scales:
- Network-wide, traffic speed surveys
- Strategic routes
- Resilient networks
- Accident hotspots
- Retextured sites (before and after testing)
- Incident response
Skid resistance surveys
According to the Design Manual for Roads & Bridges (DMRB CS 228), skid resistance refers to the frictional properties of the road surface in wet conditions. A lack of grip or a “slippery” road surface can cause road traffic accidents meaning effective monitoring of skid resistance is vital.
SCRIM® surveys measure the wet skidding resistance of a road using the sideway force principle. A freely rotating wheel, mounted in the nearside wheel track and angled at 20° to the vehicle's direction of travel, is applied to the road surface under a controlled vertical load and water flow. Sideways force coefficients are recorded and evaluated against pre-defined investigatory levels.
GripTester is a trailer based continuous measurement device. The GripTester determines the surface friction using a continuously reading braked wheel fixed slip device. Both SCRIM® and GripTester surveys can be utilised to characterise the road surface and assess the need for maintenance.
Delivering service enhancements
We deliver bespoke and client focused services aligned with skid policy requirements and industry best practice guidance. Service enhancements include:
- National reporting
- Identification of areas of concern
- Data analysis & visualisation
- Detailed site investigations
- Collision reviews
- Investigatory level reviews
- LASR analysis & reporting
- Skid policy development & review
- RSTA / CPD training courses
- Bespoke training & consultancy
International Road Awareness Programme (iRAP)
iRAP is a system designed to evaluate and improve road infrastructure safety globally. The aim is to reduce road traffic fatalities and injuries by identifying and addressing high-risk areas, as well as improving road design and management. The iRAP safety assessment evaluates roads based on several factors including:
• Road design and geometry - features such as curves, intersections, lane widths, and road surface conditions
• Traffic volume and types - including vehicle types and pedestrian presence
• Asset inventory - ensuring there are appropriate road signs, signals, protective barriers, line markings and more
• Road user behaviour - analysing how the infrastructure interacts with traffic behaviours,
like speeding or unsafe pedestrian crossings.
Holistic road safety assessments
Our 360° visual inspections are the first part of a cost-effective and reliable solution for delivering iRAP accredited safety assessments. Our survey vehicles travel across your network using a highly accurate GNSS/INS system and panoramic cameras to continuously record high-definition imagery, orthophotos and GPS data – capturing infrastructure assets and condition data in unprecedented detail.
Post-survey data extraction and analysis is undertaken within our accredited XA© system, delivering the information you require for iRAP rating. Our accredited iRAP coders will work collaboratively with you to maximise the value of your assessment.
Through comprehensive image capture and a focus on all elements of road network safety, iRAP assessments deliver several key benefits.
- Inspect high-risk roads and develop iRAP Star Ratings and risk maps for motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians
- Track road safety performance and evaluate investment and maintenance decisions
- Integrate iRAP data with other established processes including SCRIM® / SKID analysis and LASR crash modelling, to deliver balanced network safety management outcomes
- Incorporate data within XA© Scheme Assembler to deliver safety focused maintenance. We utilise iRAP safety ratings in our scheme prioritisation as standard
- Minimise the need for engineer site visits
Why choose XAIS-PTS?
At XAIS-PTS our team has a wealth of experience, and we deliver comprehensive network safety management solutions in support of our wider surveys, software, professional services, programme development & design, materials testing, and certification services.
If you have any questions or queries about our services, please contact us today – our team will be more than happy to have a conversation with you regarding your project requirements!