Highways Overview

Crashes can be caused by a number of factors - driver behaviour, excess speed, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, slippery roads and bad weather to name but a few. The global drive to reduce the number of road users killed or seriously injured has paved the way for innovative approaches to educating drivers and the setting up of various road safety partnerships to try to reduce the casualty rate. In addition to these initiatives greater emphasis is placed on road safety engineering improvements and the monitoring of highway infrastructure to enable timely and sometimes preventative maintenance to take place. Low road surface friction (skid resistance) can lead to vehicles failing to complete certain manoeuvres under certain conditions. The interaction of vehicle tyres and a road surface can cause the surface material to polish over time. In dry weather this is not necessarily a problem. However when the road is wet, vehicles are more prone to skidding and as a result the condition of a road surface in relation to its skidding resistance should be monitored on a regular basis. Bad weather and visibility also cause difficulties for drivers. Snow and Ice formation can be lethal if steps are not taken to keep highway communication routes clear and prevent further build up. Monitoring road surface and air temperature along with other measurable conditions enables highway maintaining authorities to make decisions regarding de-icing activity. Having the right systems and equipment available is essential. Findlay Irvine highway safety products and services are used by clients worldwide to provide road safety and a clear audit trail - protecting the public and the highway maintaining authority.