An innovative all-in-one response vehicle that can stop and
direct motorway traffic after incidents – then clean up spillages
and repair the road afterwards – is set to dramatically reduce
delays for drivers.
Taking to the Highways England road network for the first
time, the vehicle combines the expertise, knowledge and equipment
of both a traffic officer and incident support staff who deal
with clean-ups and road repairs.
The new Enhanced Customer Response Unit (ECRU), which is
being trialled in the West Midlands from July, will save time and
money and reduce hold-ups for motorists.
In a unique new collaboration, the vehicle will be manned
by both Highways England traffic officers and incident support
staff from contractor Kier.
The first of its kind to be launched in the UK and operated
this way, the ECRU will help Highways England manage and clear
incidents more efficiently and effectively.
It will begin operations from July 1 and was inspired by
similar technologies used on the Australian road network.
This is the first of five ECRU vehicles set to take part in the
trial in the West Midlands.
Highways England
Corporate Group Leader Martin Bolt said:
“Highways England continually strives to develop new ways
and innovations that will help keep our road network clear and
traffic moving.
“By combining services in one vehicle we can deal with
incidents and issues more quickly.
“Working with our partners Kier we have been able to take
huge strides in ensuring smoother, safer journeys for all road
users.”
Fulfilling the role of a traffic officer vehicle, the ECRU
is very visible with warning beacons and electronic message
signs. But it can also carry more emergency traffic management
than the regular vehicles including bigger signs and more
cones.
This offers safer conditions for those working at incident
scenes. Also giving added protection to road workers and road
users is the crash cushion on the back of the ECRU, absorbing the
impact from moving vehicles if struck.
Until now Kier teams have been called out separately to
deal with the aftermath of incidents.
However the ECRU has an on-board sweeper which can be used
to clear larger areas that have previously been cleared by hand
as well as a pressure washer that distributes water
and Fuel Safe,
treating oil and fuel spillages more swiftly and reducing the
need to resurface carriageways.
Scott Cooper, Managing Director Strategic Highways at Kier,
commented:
“Having one innovation performing a range of tasks will
allow us to respond to incidents quicker, inevitably saving time
for our customers.
“Jointly occupying the vehicle demonstrates our continued
commitment to working collaboratively to improve efficiencies and
achieve the best results for both road users and workers.”
This is the latest in a string of innovations that has been
lined up for the Highways England road network recently
demonstrating a commitment to invest in new technology which will
improve safety and minimise disruption caused by roadworks and
incidents.
These include the two 70ft-long mobile barrier lorries
which were originally designed for military use to protect
against roadside bombs but are now keeping road workers and
motorists safe.
In collaboration with Kier, the 16-tonne roadworker
protection barriers have been brought over from the USA and
launched in the West Midlands, protecting workers on site as well
as cutting delays by reducing the number of cones needed.
Also, Highways England is trialling new self-driving trucks
for the first time in England which could help speed up roadworks
for the first time in England.
The dump trucks, which move huge amounts of earth and are
being trialled on the A14 between Cambridge and Huntingdon,
provide the potential to work around the clock. By being
autonomous they reduce the risk of road workers being involved in
incidents on site.
