Could AI help traffic managers tackle congestion before it builds? How can contractors prove that a lower-carbon product is worth the investment? And what will it take to stop the abuse faced by people maintaining our roads?
This bonus edition of Highways Voices brings together more conversations from Highways UK, with practical ideas for anyone responsible for making the network safer, more efficient and more sustainable.
Paul Hutton, Adrian Tatum and Libby McMahon take you around the NEC to meet the people developing new technology, challenging established approaches and encouraging the industry to work together.
SWARCO UK and Ireland’s Head of Product and Solutions, Derek McLean, explains why improving an individual junction is only part of the answer to smoother journeys. Hear how MyCity connects information and operational tools across the network, and how AI forecasting could help operators anticipate problems and choose an effective response.
“What we want to do is connect the entire journey end to end,” he explains.
There is more on turning information into action with WJ Sunstone Software Developer Jack Gander-Compton, who introduces AVERA, a system designed to identify potential incidents using existing data. Find out how it could help teams spot stopped vehicles sooner and monitor diversion routes, including in locations without CCTV or additional roadside equipment.
For those managing temporary traffic signals, HALO Traffic Systems Managing Director and Co-Founder Tim Mooring discusses the thinking behind the company’s new portable signal and connected ecosystem. From equipment weight to communications and remote monitoring, hear which customer frustrations the team has set out to solve.
SG Commercial Director Anna Blake explains what bringing together Solar Gates, MVIS and P&D Specialist Services means for customers. Discover how the combined business aims to offer wider geographical coverage and access to more specialist services, with customer needs shaping its future development.
There is also an opportunity for local authorities to put innovation to work on their own roads. Alastair King, Head of SolarLite at Clearview Intelligence, explains the Local Authority Impact Challenge, offering three authorities the chance to trial active road studs. Hear what makes a suitable location, how to put forward a challenge and how the resulting schemes will help build evidence of the technology’s impact.
Carbon reduction gets a thorough examination with Winvic Construction’s Technical Services and Sustainability Director, Arun Thaneja. Why does accurate supply chain data matter? How can independent verification give clients confidence? And how do you demonstrate that a product with a higher initial price could deliver better value over its life?
Mr Thaneja discusses the evidence needed to support procurement decisions, alongside the practical work involved in moving towards alternative fuels.
Then, in the start-up zone, Dashe Co-Founder and Managing Director Andrew Woodward explains how automating carbon data collection could save time and help businesses demonstrate improvements as they happen. Hear why relying on an outdated emissions figure could mean your latest progress goes unrecognised.
Finally, Paula Parsons, Chair of No Excuse for Roadworker Abuse, makes a powerful appeal for collective action. She explains how sharing incident data could help the industry understand where abuse happens, identify its causes and develop practical measures to protect frontline teams.
“It’s important that we get everybody away from working in silos on this issue,” she says.
Hear how your organisation can contribute, why better reporting matters and what the campaign wants to achieve over the coming year.
From anticipating congestion to proving carbon savings and protecting roadworkers, this episode brings you ideas to take back to your own organisation.
Listen to the full podcast here:
Subscribe to Highways Voices free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts or Pocket Casts and never miss an episode!