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

  • UK's managed motorways scheme improves journey times
    April 11, 2012
    "One of the most important challenges for the Highways Agency (HA) is the management of Britain's motorways to improve traffic flows, reduce congestion, cut travel times and maintain better local air quality. But as traffic volumes increase, the HA is constantly looking for more economical, effective and sustainable methods of managing the country's motorways. "The Managed Motorway concept uses detectors to measure congestion, control software to display mandatory speed signs and an enforcement system to
    Read More
  • US road safety record
    April 26, 2012
    The latest official statistics from the US on road accidents show that fatality levels on the nation's roads have dropped to the lowest figures seen for more than six decades. The information was released by US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, revealing that highway deaths fell to 32,885 for 2010, the lowest level since 1949.
    Read More
  • Roadmarking requirements can boost highway safety for road users
    April 11, 2013
    Road markings are an essential component of a modern infrastructure and an essential contributor to driver comfort and road safety. The COST 331 study, which ran from 1996 to 1999, mainly focused on dry night conditions and indicated that the increased luminance of road markings, results in a better delineation of the road and offers more reaction time for drivers. On average a slight increase in speed was noted, but the increased visibility was mainly converted into more reaction time. IMPROVER, which ran
    Read More
  • Recycled organic compost stabilises embankments
    April 11, 2012
    Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is a UK government-funded body designed to encourage greater resource efficiency. This body completed a trial with contractor Balfour Beatty and the Highways Agency to test the innovative use of recycled organic compost along roadside embankments.
    Read More

Highlighted Content