After a successful Highways UK, Highways News catches up with one of the sponsors of its series of podcasts on the show. We talked to SRL’s Research and Development Director, Iain McDonald.
Highways News (HN): During the recent Highways UK show, your new REMOS solution seemed to generate a huge amount of interest. Can you tell us more about that product, the reason for developing it and the benefits it offers the industry?
SRL: “SRL was excited to launch REMOS at Highways UK. The industry feedback was overwhelmingly positive. In essence, REMOS offers an alternative to having an operative manually control portable signals on-site. By installing cameras on portable signals to capture each approach and sending these feeds back to the REMOS control centre, our highly trained operators can monitor multiple sites simultaneously in a safe and secure environment. Manual control has been a persistent challenge for the industry, and in recent years, the availability and capability of operatives have become significant issues. This led stakeholders to approach SRL for a viable solution. Although REMOS is still in its early stages, we are already witnessing numerous benefits, including enhanced operator safety, environmental advantages, reduced congestion, and improved overall operational control.”
HN You also launched at the show your UltraLight next generation traffic signals solution. Can you tell us more about that and how exactly is it ‘next generation’?
SRL: “The SRL UltraLight includes an improved radio system, and compliance with the latest updates on BS EN standards which have been updated over the past five years.”
HN: You are one of the first manufacturers to achieve TOPAS 2540A compliance with the UltraLight product, why is that significant?
SRL:”Any contractor providing traffic management to a public body such as Local Authorities, National Highways, Transport Scotland etc should be supplying equipment that is compliant to the latest relevant TOPAS specification. TOPAS published a new specification for portable and temporary traffic signals (TOPS 2540A) in June 2023 and SRL have worked to ensure our latest product being released is fully compliant with this specification to ensure SRL can continue to support our clients in their contractual commitments with UK public organisation.”
HN: How do these new product innovations further allow your customers to limit their carbon footprint and also reduce operating costs?
SRL: “The SRL UltraLight uses less power than any other SRL products which reduces the requirement for regular battery swaps. If combined with SRL SolarLight the requirement for battery exchanges is almost eliminated reducing to one battery exchange required over the period a year which is unmatched in the sector. The SRL REMOS system removes the requirement for TM Operatives to travel to site each day and in some instances twice a day to manually operate the portable and temporary signals and significantly reduce the use of fuel and associated emissions form TM vehicles. In the majority of instances when an operative is on site, if he is not manually operating the signals he is in his vehicle which again in the majority of instances will be idling and burning fuel and emitting fumes again impacting the organisations ESG credentials. REMOS removes all this plus can dramatically improve the traffic flows on sites as operators in control rooms can see further back on all approaches to the portable and temp signals allowing for optimisation of the site.”
HN Is there the capacity to make further enhancements to REMOS in the future, such as the incorporation of AI?
“The REMOS product is currently in its first phase of development. Throughout this process, we have identified several enhancements that can be implemented in future development stages. The product already includes integral AI capabilities, which we plan to introduce in subsequent phases to further enhance the REMOS functionality and benefits at roadworks.”
HN: Can you reflect on where you see the current state of the Traffic Management sector and how important is the need for constant innovation for both yourselves and your customers?
SRL: “The perception of the public and many highway authorities is that portable and temporary traffic signals in operation will create disruption on the network however by deploying REMOS or SRL UTMC units can provide improved network monitoring and control than in some cases are available during normal operation as REMOS could provide visibility of a network where permanent signals may not be installed and facilitate the improved town/city network management. SRL are committed to continue to develop products and systems which will deliver benefit to our direct customers (Traffic Management Contractors) who in turn can deliver benefit to their clients such as Highway Authorities, Statutory Undertakers and Tier one contractors. “
