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

  • Ford develops drug driving simulator
    November 20, 2015
    Ford has developed a special suit that simulates the effects of being under the influence of drugs for a driver. The novel Drug Driving Suit is intended to show drivers the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin Research shows that drivers are up to 30 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash after taking illegal drugs; the suit simulates effects that can include slowed reaction, distorted vision, and hand tremors.
  • New barrier, crash cushion and access control technology will benefit road user safety
    October 26, 2012
    Protecting road users, with barriers, crash cushions or access control systems, is crucial for network safety - Mike Woof writes Tough regulations are now in place in Europe and the US, requiring road authorities to provide safer road infrastructure than in the past. Technologies to reduce the severity of vehicle impacts against obstructions or redirect vehicles into the roadway should help cut injuries amongst drivers and passengers alike. The specifications for the use of crash cushions and barriers can v
  • IRF Seminar on Road Safety and Public Private Partnership
    July 11, 2012
    The International Road Federation is pleased to invite you to participate in the IRF Seminar on Public/Private Partnership (PPP) and Road Safety to be held on 12th and 13th October in Cairo, Egypt. The seminar will address major challenges facing the road industry today. Over two focused and specifically tailored days - one on Road Safety issues and the other on all aspects of Public/Private Partnership (PPP) - industry experts will cover topics ranging from earliest target setting and planning, constructio
  • E&E Event in Vienna: Transforming bitumen
    November 25, 2022
    The recent E&E Event in Vienna suggests that decarbonisation, digitalisation and diversification are fast changing the road paving sector, reports Kristina Smith.