Local Diary: The fight for data-driven safety models

02/07/2020 |

The latest in Highways' Local Diary series - Kully Boden, highway asset team leader for Derby City Council, reports on a research project to develop a local authority crash model for skid resistance.

Working with our partners XAIS Asset Management and independent SCRIM and Safety consultant Dr Helen Viner, Derby City Council secured a Road Safety Trust grant just before lockdown in mid-March.

The Small Grants Programme aims to improve road safety at a local level and they were looking to fund projects that generated new knowledge about what works in the local context and how to translate ideas into measures.

We will complete vital research on a road safety project, which will investigate the relationship between skid resistance and collision risk. The project is focusing on ‘city’ networks and 11 authorities in the East Midlands and Yorkshire regions are now participating in the pilot.

Similar analyses carried out for national road networks form the basis of national policies for managing skid resistance in the UK and overseas. Despite there being little data representative of local roads, local authorities often adopt the same approach, either entirely or with some variation.

For councils with a predominantly urban road network, such as ours in Derby City, there is a particular risk that the relationships and prioritisation methodologies that were developed from data on predominantly rural and national networks are not applicable to the local situation.

The primary objective of the research project is to develop a ‘crash model’ that will be based on data and characteristics of the local road network.

This crash model will provide the means to estimate the benefit of maintenance treatment to improve the skid resistance and enable local authorities to prioritise the most appropriate skid deficient sites to investigate further, taking into account local geometry.

This information can also be used to define appropriate levels of skid resistance in different situations. This risk-approach, based on sound evidence, will help authorities to secure necessary funding to improve skid resistance and to target the funds to schemes that are likely to deliver the greatest safety benefits.

We’re very fortunate to have Dr Helen Viner working with us, who has worked for more than 20 years in this very field and was instrumental in forming the approach to skid resistance adopted for the UK trunk roads. The software platform, support and expertise of XAIS Asset Management and their extensive client base, will provide the tools for setting up and hosting the crash model.

The main reason Derby City came on board was the project built on the risk-based approach already adopted for managing the road and footway assets. Our limited staff resource and availability could target site investigations to the areas that were of local importance, as opposed to making the trunk road model HD28/15 (now CS228) fit the purpose. It also supports our local priorities for casualty reduction.

As part of the grant requirements, we will disseminate information to local authority colleagues and the supply chain in the near future. Despite lockdown, we have plans to share with colleagues through a ‘new normal’ approach. Our early findings suggest that there will be a fair few areas for discussion.

We look forward to sharing this with you in the autumn.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Traffic Management Technician - WMF2240e

£28,598 - £29,540
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a committed and technically capable individual to join our Traffic Management Team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Technician-Road Closures

£35,422 - £38,730
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic and a team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technician - Road Closures (2 Posts)

£29,719 - £31,691
The Network Planning division is seeking to appoint someone who is enthusiastic, an excellent team player Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Structures Inspector

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for two Permanent Structure Inspectors to join our dynamic SBIM team Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Site Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Site Manager Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Principal Commercial Manager

£Competitive
The SBIM contract involves delivering inspection and maintenance programmes for National Highways Bristol
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Commercial Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Senior Commercial Manager Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have fantastic opportunities for a permanent Highways Maintenance Operatives. Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: Amey

Managing QS

£Competitive
In this role, you will support the Senior Commercial team in the end to end commercial process for the Area 12 contract. Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Inspection Officer

£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Highways Inspection Officer to join us! Windsor, Berkshire
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Highways Technical Assistant

£29,064 - £31,537
Are you looking for a varied role in a dynamic and innovative team environment that can make a real difference to North Yorkshire’s highways? Leeming Bar, Northallerton
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Street Lighting Electrical Inspector

£34,434 - £38,220 per annum
Do you hold an ONC in electrical engineering or City & Guilds Electrician? Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior bridge Engineer - WMF2212e

£47,181 - £48,226
You will be the key responsible engineer for this area and will also provide technical advice and guidance to our team Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF2221e

£28,598 - £29,540
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bridge Engineer - WMF2219e

£42,839 - £44,075
We are currently seeking to recruit an experienced and enthusiastic Bridge Engineer Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Public Transport Officer

£42,839 - £46,142
We are looking for an experienced public transport professional to become our Senior Public Transport Officer. Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) (Fixed-Term)

£48,226-£51,356
We are looking for an experienced professional to join as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy) Northampton, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Mobile Street Scene Operative

£24,796 to £25,989 per annum
The Waste and Street Scene department requires enthusiastic and committed mobile street cleansing operative. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recruiter: North Yorkshire Council

Senior Technician - Highways Design (2 Posts)

Grade 10 £35,422 - 38,730 per annum
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Professional Services Section Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW