Inflatable Safety Barrier Set to Save Lives on UK Roads
An eye-catching inflatable airbag barrier that can be erected in under 10 minutes is being trialled to protect road workers from dangerous vehicle incursions on Highways England’s network.
New Airbag Barrier Targets Reckless Drivers
Launching soon in the Midlands, this bright, bulky airbag aims to stop motorists from accidentally crashing into work zones. It’s a bold visual warning that’s quick to deploy, designed to keep both road crews and drivers safe.
Lisa Maric, Highways England’s Midlands Innovation Manager, highlighted the urgency behind the new tech:
“On average, our road workers report nearly 300 incidents of vehicle incursions and abuse every week. It is a far too frequent hazard for our workforce going about their daily job – and the consequences could be fatal. We are committed to keeping our workforce safe and doing all we can to ensure no-one is harmed when travelling or working on our network. We are also committed to investing in new innovations to help improve safety for road workers and users. We hope these airbags will go some way to protecting our workers but also help change drivers’ behaviours. We ask drivers to respect our road workers, to slow down near works and obey speed limits and signs.”
Trial to Kick Off at Busy Coventry Slip Road
The trial, backed by construction partner Kier, will take place on the A45/A46 Stivichall interchange slip road during upcoming roadworks. Drivers often veer mistakenly into work zones at slip roads, especially when exiting motorways or A roads, but the inflatable barrier should act as a serious deterrent.
Mark Sheppard, Kier Highways Senior Project Manager, said:
“The Vehicle Incursion Airbag project will give us a great opportunity to trial something a little bit different, to supplement the standard approach to road worker protection measures. Traffic management incursions are all too common, so the chance to take a different tack to help influence the decisions made by some road users is worth exploring. Hopefully, it’ll help towards making the network a safer place for drivers and our workforce.”
Adding an Extra Layer of Protection
- The airbag will supplement cones and signs, offering another layer of safety.
- It will initially be installed during a weekend slip road closure but is planned for use in various traffic management situations in the coming months.
- The trial costs £95,700, funded through Highways England’s £150 million innovation fund tied to the Road Investment Strategy (2015-2020).
This cutting-edge inflatable could be the game-changer to finally curb reckless driving near roadworks and save lives.
