The Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) and National Highways have signed a long-awaited Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable on-road testing of new marking and road stud products.
Both organisations have been working towards the goal of on-road trials on the strategic road network for many years.
The MoU has been four years in the making, while it has been well over a decade since the UK last had a dedicated site for on-road trials of road marking and stud products.
The MoU covers a five-year trial period from July 2024 until July 2029.
It states establishes a framework for effective co-operation to facilitate the testing and certification of 'road markings in accordance with BS EN 1824, [Road marking materials – Road trials] and road studs as identified in BS EN 1463-2 [Road marking materials – Retroreflective road studs – Part 2: Road test performance specifications]'.
The MoU states: 'The purpose of this Memorandum is to establish a platform for effective co-operation and understanding between the parties and to develop one or more sites to facilitate the certification of road marking and road stud products for the UK and wider marking and stud industry.
'National Highways is supportive of the principle of using the SRN to trial new products as it recognises the benefits of developing new products both from a cost and performance point of view. The supervision and measurement of the road markings is undertaken by an Approved Body, appointed by RSMA, that will provide certificates of performance.'
Once a site for the trials has been agreed on, the two parties will work to agree a licence 'confirming the roles and responsibility of the parties and any other identified bodies'.
The licence agreement, which would provide the RSMA and its representatives with access to the SRN, is expected to be agreed in the coming months.
Stu McInroy, RSMA;'s outgoing CEO, said: 'The signing of the MoU is a significant step forward to establishing a dedicated UK trial site for the certification of road marking and stud products. It has been a long and sometimes challenging journey to get to this point and I should like to thank all involved at National Highways in getting this MoU over the line.
'The RSMA looks forward to collaborating with National Highways to ensure the success of this project to certify for use new, innovative products for installation on roads across the UK – improving safety for road users and value for money for taxpayers.'
Dr Joanna White, roads development director at National Highways, said: 'I’m delighted to be signing this MoU with the RSMA on behalf of National Highways.Enabling trials such as this is one of the key elements of our innovation and research strategy, helping us deliver on our ambitions of zero harm and net zero carbon, future-proofing our network.'
