Skip to main content

RSMA hosts 16th and largest conference in Nottingham, England

The Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) this week held its 16th and largest annual conference at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham, England. Under the title ‘Roadmarking 2013 Safety Through Innovation’, the event on 13-14 November included a host of presentations from leading transport and specific road marking industry figures based in the UK and Europe dealing with technological and practical innovations relating to road marking-led road safety. Jenny Moten, divisional director for Network Services at th
November 15, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
RSSThe 5149 Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) this week held its 16th and largest annual conference at Eastwood Hall in Nottingham, England.

Under the title ‘Roadmarking 2013 Safety Through Innovation’, the event on 13-14 November included a host of  presentations from leading transport and specific road marking industry figures based in the UK and Europe dealing with technological and practical innovations relating to road marking-led road safety.

Jenny Moten, divisional director for Network Services at the 2309 Highways Agency (HA), outlined how the Government policy paper ‘Action for Roads’, which includes changes to the running of the HA and a commitment of US$44.924 billion (£28 billion) for road maintenance between 2015 and 2020, may change the road marking sector and the work of the HA within it.

Conor Fitzgerald, engineering inspection at the National Road Authority (NRA) in Ireland, described the approach the NRA takes on road markings and how positive monitoring by contractors is being used to underwrite the performance of their network, while also limiting costs, during tough economic times.

Other key speakers were Dr Lisa Dorn, research director at Driver Metrics, who is leading a team of psychologists working with the private and public sector on research concerned with driver behaviour; and Tobias Lotz, development engineer, driver assistance technologies, at 3423 Ford, who spoke about that while innovations in in-car technology are rapidly improving safety levels for drivers, it must be compatible with basic highway infrastructure to make the most of these advances.

A wide variety of workshop sessions looked at projects including 777 TRL’s InRoads and Safer Cycling Innovations; Michael Gatscha, of Neurotraffic, Austria, talking about driver reaction in wet/night conditions; and the Dark Skies initiative and research in Galloway Forest Park in Scotland.

Meanwhile, a host of leading road marking sector firms such as the 7819 Hitex International Group, the event’s main sponsors, 152 3M, 173 Borum, and 1658 Hofmann were among exhibitors during the conference, showcasing their latest machines and technology.

The two-day conference also incorporated Safer Surfacing 2013, and, for the first time, the Annual RSMA Health and Safety Forum Event.

On the importance of the conference, RSMA national director George Lee said, “In the last few years we’ve taken a much broader and more international approach to the event. It’s such a melting pot of different ideas and different initiatives that actually play out in every different aspect of our industry.”

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • China lines up its top construction equipment experts for CTO 2013
    May 28, 2013
    The details of the 2013 China Construction Machinery Technology Development Forum (CTO Summit) have now been finalised and the event is taking place from 21 June 2013 to 23 June 2013 at the Shengjuefeisi Hotel in Changsha with product innovation and industrial change as the key themes. 2013 “is the 20th anniversary of China Construction Machinery Society,” say the organisers, and “the forum will focus on green, environmental protection and sustainable development.”
  • The UK’s TRL body is now a corporate member of the IRF Geneva
    August 28, 2013
    As recently announced by the Chair of IRF Geneva, Kiran Kapila, “we are pleased to welcome TRL, the UK’s Transport Research Laboratory, to the IRF family. With its wide-ranging and global road-related research activities, TRL represents a true asset to the IRF membership. We are excited at the prospect of working closely with TRL towards a world of safe, sustainable and efficient roads and road networks.” With over 80 years of knowledge and experience embedded in its history, TRL’s vision is to meet mode
  • IRF Executives Talks: shaping the future of Intelligent transportation
    August 29, 2024
    Technological advances for the intelligent transportation sector are developing at incredible speed globally. For many leaders in the sector, one of the biggest challenges is how they should use new technology to shape the future of intelligent transportation. SWARCO chief executive, Michael Schuch, put forward his ideas in conversation with IRF Director General Susanna Zammataro ahead of the IRF World Congress in Istanbul in October.
  • Clearer road markings influence driver behaviour
    July 12, 2012
    Research into driver behaviour has identified that driver safety and decision-making can be positively influenced by clearer and higher performing road markings. Patrick Smith reports. Bare roads will lead to total vehicular confusion. Markings are painted on the road to direct, guide and regulate the road user, and include all lines patterns, words and colours applied on or attached to the road surface or kerb for these purposes.