Skip to main content

Fugro complete ‘7,000km’ TRASS contract

Fugro Aperio collected and processed data from up to 7,000km lanes of English trunk roads as part of a just completed Traffic Speed Structural Survey (TRASS) contract. The work, commissioned by TRL on behalf of the Highways Agency (HA), saw the Cambridge-based survey specialist gain information using the HA’s Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD). The innovative TSD technology uses Doppler lasers to measure the speed at which the pavement deflects in response to load.
April 23, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
2929 Fugro Aperio collected and processed data from up to 7,000km lanes of English trunk roads as part of a just completed Traffic Speed Structural Survey (TRASS) contract.

The work, commissioned by 777 TRL on behalf of the 2309 Highways Agency (HA), saw the Cambridge-based survey specialist gain information using the HA’s Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD).
The innovative TSD technology uses Doppler lasers to measure the speed at which the pavement deflects in response to load. The non-contact IT allows surveys to be conducted at up to 80kph, vastly reducing the risk to motorists caused by slower moving deflection techniques such as deflectograph and falling weight deflectometer (FWD).

The survey data, gathered over a two-month period during February and March 2012, is part of the HA’s drive to implement annual structural testing on the English trunk road network. It will be used to help service providers better identify and prioritise maintenance schemes as well as to help calculate the value of the pavement asset.

TRASS surveys have been underway since 2009, with the ultimate aim of using them for scheme level assessment and design by 2016.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Safety measures aid workzone accident reduction
    February 20, 2012
    Everyone connected with the highway industry is involved in the efforts to cut down the number of work zone accidents. Patrick Smith reports. A few months ago, as road work resumed on America's highways and bridges, US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called on drivers to use extra caution in work zones. At the same time he commended the success in reducing overall roadway fatalities in each of the last seven years.
  • New safer road workzone practices
    September 15, 2014
    In the UK, the construction business Connect Plus Services is implementing new practices that reduce the need for crossings of live carriageways. These practices are expected to save the lives of road construction workers. Connect Plus Services is the company that has the contract to maintain, operate and upgrade the M25 motorway around London over a 30-year period. The contract is carried out on behalf of the Highways Agency. The firm has developed a new method of managing traffic approaching road construc
  • Transtec leads pavement design for Houston’s SH 249 Extension
    February 12, 2020
    Transtec chosen for pavement design on US$520 million Houston project
  • Better asset management will reduce costs and improve efficiency
    August 22, 2013
    The FEHRL Infrastructure Research Meeting 2013 (FIRM 2013) raised key issues in transport innovation The key theme for FIRM 13 was advanced and innovative construction and maintenance, highlighting the importance of efficient asset management. Infravation, or infrastructure innovation, was another focus area for the event. Joris Al, FEHRL president said, “We aim to bring interested parties together. We’ve decided to build on existing knowledge rather than starting with front edge technologies and working