TWM Traffic Control Systems Ltd, a division of the Manchester-based Pilot Group, has won an award for a project which has reduced traffic collisions in the Dudley borough of the West Midlands.
TWM joined forces with Dudley Council for the Oakham Road project which achieved the Safety and Innovation Project of the Year award at the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE) Mercia Awards in Birmingham last month.
There were 14 crashes on the road from 2014 to 2018, including one fatality and two other serious accidents, nearly half of which occurred near a staggered junction with poor visibility.
TWM worked with Dudley Council to install a 750mm vehicle-activated warning sign to notify drivers of the hazard in advance of the bend.
The solution includes an integrated staggered junction sign which detects speeding vehicles before the bend, combined with above ground radar technology at the junction warning drivers of ‘TURNING VEHICLES’ around the bend.
The £35,000 scheme was implemented in 2020 – and there have been no collisions leading to injuries on the road since. Surveys conducted have also revealed it has been instrumental in reducing speeds along the previously problematic road.
Chris Rayner, National Sales Manager at TWM, said: “We were pleased to continue our relationship with Dudley Council and it’s great to be recognised with an Institute of Highway Engineers award for implementing signage which has reduced collisions to zero.
“The complex location presented a number of challenges, so it was important to work closely with the Council to provide an innovative solution. We hope that by installing this innovative Intelligent Safety System we have created a safer environment for road users and pedestrians, calming traffic and slowing down speeding vehicles for a long time to come.
“We look forward to more opportunities to work together in the future.”
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader elect at Dudley Council, added: “We are a very receptive council and residents on Oakham Road told us that something needed to be done – and the figures for collisions told us that too. “There were a number of barriers to overcome to fully address the dangers of this road – but we worked with TWM to install a ground-breaking solution.
“It has reduced collisions to zero, and we will now be looking at the possibility of using the technology to tackle other problem areas in the borough.”
(Picture – TWM)
