An innovative solution that seeks to treat spillages on England’s major A-roads and motorways more quickly and effectively is being trialled by National Highways working with Tarmac and partners.
When a major incident happens, detailed forensic police work is often required, while access for National Highways teams to treat any spillages like oil and diesel is restricted.
It can take just 90 minutes for fluids such as these to cause enough damage for resurfacing to be required, adding more delays for motorists caught up in the aftermath of the incident.
Working with the Forensic Collision Investigation Network (FCIN), Kier Highways and Tarmac, the trial involves significant research and development, and ground-breaking innovation.
The trial is being funded from the National Highways Innovations Designated Funds programme and conducted in a ‘real-world’ testing environment.
Specialists will test trial areas featuring tyre marks, debris, diesel and oil with fluid-based treatments to see if they can absorb the spillages without destroying the evidence.
The trials will be carried out under strict testing conditions on a new 200-metre road surface at Santa Pod Raceway near Northampton.
National Highways on-road service delivery manager, Sian Norman, said: “We’re always looking to improve how we design, build, maintain and operate our road network.
“This trial means we can look in detail at how some of the products work in treating spillages and what impact it might have on any forensic evidence on the road.
“During any incident, we work closely with police colleagues to keep the area sterile for forensic investigation but we’re aware we need to open the road as soon as it’s safe to do so.
“By investing in innovation, we can explore new technology and solutions to reduce disruption to road users and communities that live alongside our network.”
Head of the FCIN, Frances Senior, said: “The Forensic Collision Investigation Network are delighted to work with National Highways on this innovative research.
“In partnership with National Highways and Kier Highways, we will jointly test our scientific methodology and approach, enabling us to obtain valuable data from which we can evaluate the impacts of spillage treatments on likely forensic evidence types.
“I’d like to thank National Highways, Kier Highways and Santa Pod Raceway for enabling this trial to happen.”
Carla Vicente, Kier Highways project manager, said: “If the trial is successful and we can find a new product, application method and a way to treat spillages without compromising any evidence, the road can be opened quicker, reducing time, cost and disruption to customers.”
As well as supporting the trial, Tarmac has also resurfaced a further stretch of the Santa Pod racetrack where cars often reach speeds of more than 300mph.
Richard Vine, Tarmac’s regional director for contracting, said: “We are delighted to support National Highways by using some typical highway surfaces on which specialists can test different scenarios.”
To find out more about National Highways’ Designated Funds programme, visit https://highwaysengland.co.uk/designated-funds/
