ThormaJoint Meets Competition Requirements
November 17, 2009 - posted in Bridge Jointing, International News, Prismo Contracting Services, Prismo Group
Traffic noise is becoming an increasingly important issue on Dutch roads and bridges and engineers are keen on introducing systems that can reduce its detrimental environmental impact.
To this end, the Rijkswaterstaat, Holland’s roads and bridges Authority, launched a competition in 2007 challenging private companies to design an innovative bridge expansion joint that should be both durable and as noiseless as possible when trafficked. Tenders were invited for the supply of new designs.
Leading UK Road safety product manufacturer, Prismo Road Markings Ltd, was invited to take part in the challenge and submitted an entry based upon a modified version of its ‘ThormaJoint’ asphaltic plug bridge expansion joint system. Having many years experience with such systems, Prismo knew that ThormaJoint would be a good starting point for the new noiseless expansion joint.
From more than thirty companies that entered the contest, just four winners were announced and Prismo’s enhanced ThormaJoint system was one of them. Each winner received sponsorship from the Rijkswaterstaat to install its new product on a selected bridge site and to produce test pieces for an extensive programme of performance evaluation.
Prismo installed ThormaJoint on Holland’s A50, near Uden, in May 2009. To carry out the work the company partnered with its German licensee, Kemna Bau, who’s experience and expertise in installing the system meant that the work, which involved removing the old metal rail joints before repairing the deck and placement of the new joint, was completed successfully and to schedule.
The Rijkswaterstaat has now set up specialist equipment to monitor performance of the new joint, but already its benefits are being enjoyed by local residents. Whilst on site, one local resident visited Prismo and commented that the traffic noise from the old joints had always forced him to sleep with his bedroom window closed. Now, with the new ‘quiet joint’ in place, he was looking forward to sleeping with an open window!
If eventually successful, the Dutch Authority intends to specify the new noiseless joints throughout Holland.
Magic at Trafflex 2009
November 17, 2009 - posted in Antiskid, Bridge Jointing, Decorative Surfacing, Exhibitions, Prismo Contracting Services, Prismo Group, Prismo Team, Road Markings, Road Safety, Road Studs, Safety Solutions
In a month when the predicted cuts on public spending were announced in the Chancellor’s budget, Prismo Road Markings Ltd exhibited at the NEC Birmingham on what turned out to be a very busy ‘Traffex’ show and one that appeared to be bucking the economic trend.
At the show, which ran from Tuesday 21st April until Thursday 23rd April, there was little sign that visitors were taking any notice of the current financial climate, arriving at the show in good numbers and showing positive interest in the products being displayed.
Many visitors headed straight for the Prismo stand, strategically positioned opposite the ‘Traffex’ café, spurred on by the word getting round that ‘magic’ was being conjured up on stand F80. They were lured by a magician who wowed the crowds with tricks, whilst at the same time, of course, introducing the products manufactured by the road safety markings company.
Prismo manufactures products that provide their own ‘safety’ magic too. Prismo’s Colourbright system is a good example. During the day, the patented safety solution acts as a coloured delineation and alerts drivers to potential road hazards. The real ‘trick’, however, occurs at night, when the vehicle’s headlights are reflected back from the Colourbright surface and the road surface lights up as a warning to the approaching driver.
Judging by the number of visitors to the Prismo stand over the three-day Traffex event, the magician proved a real success with many visitors directly commenting about the Prismo stand being much busier than its neighbours. Proof positive then that Prismo has the products, solutions and services that remain in demand to meet today’s road infrastructure issues. And that’s no illusion!