The Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) and National Highways have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that shall help facilitate the on-road testing of new road marking and stud products on the Strategic Road Network (SRN).
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 and the MoU signed by representatives of the RSMA and National Highways has been 4 years in the making. The MoU outlines a 5-year trial period commencing July 2024 running through until July 2029, with testing and certification being conducted in accordance with BS EN 1824 and BS EN 1463.
The MoU establishes a framework for effective co-operation and understanding between the RSMA and National Highways to develop and facilitate the certification of road marking and road stud products. It shall enable effective communication between the RSMA and National Highways, and promote close co-operation and collaboration between the two organisations.
The MoU is the first of two steps to be completed before the trials can begin. The second, a Licence Agreement between the RSMA and National Highways that shall provide the RSMA and its representatives access to the SRN, is expected to be agreed in the coming months.
Stu McInroy, RSMA 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 tax payers.”
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”.
