High Friction Surfacing in Southern Ireland
February 21, 2010 - posted in Antiskid, Awards, International News, Prismo Contracting Services, Prismo Group, Road Safety, Safety Solutions
The most recent trial approved by the The National Roads Authority of Ireland (NRA) was on a very busy main road near Dublin which had seen 21 fatalities over the last 3 years. A significant contributing factor was a steep downhill section of Asphalt road approaching a junction where, particularly in wet conditions and heavy traffic, vehicles were unable to stop quickly enough.Tyregrip was specified and, to allow for the incline and prevent loss of Epoxy on such a steep slope, cellulose fibres were also recommended and added to the Epoxy mix.
This worked well and in very difficult traffic management conditions the 2000m2 downhill to the junction was completed over a two-day period in September and the NRA has already suggested that if it proves a success Tyregrip will be specified for the entire region.
A Big Thaw is Imminent!
January 14, 2010 - posted in Prismo Group, Prismo Traffic Products, Road Safety, Safety Solutions
The continuous cycle of freezing and thawing breaks up road surfaces. After last February’s two-week cold snap, there was a 40% increase in road damage
What will that mean for the UK’s roads?
Potholes and lots of them!
What’s the solution?
REphalt Permanent Pothole Repair
But the roads are wet?
Not a problem, REphalt can be applied in all weather conditions
But it’s too cold?
REphalt can be applied below 0°C
- REphalt can be trafficked immediately after application
- REphalt is a one visit, instant, permanent repair
- HAPAS APPROVED for use on all Motorways, Roads and footpaths.
- REphalt replicates hot laid material performance Marshall Load Value of 15.8kn @25°C
Want to see how good REphalt is for yourself?? Request a sample!
Pothole Backlog Easily Fixed with REphalt
November 17, 2009 - posted in Prismo Group, Prismo Traffic Products, Road Safety, Safety Solutions
Did you know that on average there is one pothole for every 120 yards (110m) of UK road? A recent report by the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) claims exactly that and reports an estimated 13-year repair backlog in England and 15.6 years in Wales.
More than 800,000 potholes were filled on English local roads last year, at a cost of £52.3 million (or £61.27 per pothole) and almost 94,000 potholes in Wales alone.
The real truth may be more damming in that many of these pothole ‘fills’ were almost certainly needed as a result of the early failure of a previous repair system, due to its inadequate performance. The blight of potholes is a recurring problem and more prevalent in the spring, after harsh winter conditions or floods.
Whilst local authorities struggle on to arrest the problem, however, the potholes remain a significant threat to safety of the road user. Cyclists, motor cyclists and car drivers are likely to be injured and vehicles damaged, resulting in extensive insurance claims and a financial burden running into millions (in 2008 – £53m).
It is comforting to know, however, that Prismo Traffic Products has the ideal solution to meet this difficult challenge. Prismo’s ‘REPhalt’ Instant Pothole Repair is already being used by a growing number of UK councils and contractors, as well as many International authorities and Prismo believes the REPhalt asphalt revolution cannot be embraced quickly enough.
Sales Director Larry Walsh commented “The crux of the matter is, that in many cases the existing products and methods only provide a very temporary repair, with some attempts failing even before the contractor has left site. This is especially true in cold and wet conditions. REphalt possesses the potential to arrest this problem, simply because this new technology provides a permanent repair, in most climatic conditions.”
REphalt is an instant and ‘permanent’ pothole repair that is activated by water and is the only bituminous repair product that will perform permanently in wet conditions and at temperatures below freezing. It exhibits excellent strength with >16kN load and flow characteristics at 25 degrees C (on Marshall testing), has similar properties to that of conventional asphalt, can be trafficked immediately after application and being totally solvent free, eliminates shrinkage.
As well as being more cost effective to install, REphalt provides significant environmental benefits. Fluxed with renewable resources it does not emit solvents into the atmosphere and being a single-visit permanent repair, it avoids the need to dump thousands of tonnes of failed materials into landfill sites.
Dyer & Butler, the regional civil engineering contractor, has used REphalt extensively for airport maintenance repair work, originally for non-airside repairs to concrete aprons, hard-standings and on expansion joints. When the company’s maintenance crews where asked about the suitability of REphalt, their response was empathic. “There is nothing else out there that is suitable. There are no decent economical alternatives to using REphalt.
Fraser Kidman, Senior Site Agent for Dyer & Butler commented “We have been using it for over five years now, initially non-airside, but then we found its properties ideally suited to airside repairs too. REphalt‟s toughness, steadfastness and flexibility means that it can be used in areas where strict standards must be met to avoid potential damage to aircraft and engines from loose material. Gatwick, Heathrow and Stanstead have all used REphalt as a “permanent” (up to a year) repair to concrete and expansion joints, until other more major repairs can be scheduled through busy airports maintenance programmes. It is simple to use” concludes Fraser. “Just present the mix to the hole, add a little water, pack down and the job is done”
Blackpool Council has also used REphalt to repair potholes on the M55; the busiest stretch of motorway under its jurisdiction. The M55 endures continuous heavy traffic from coaches, trucks and thousands of holiday makers who flock into the town for its attractions all year round. John Holmes, of Blackpool’s Street Scene Services commented on the material’s properties, “We have used REphalt on the M55 and in urban environments, but I was impressed by its ability to hold up against heavy plant traffic during repairs to the M55. Three months later after some rough use, it’s still there, as good as new.”
Saving Lives on a Budget
November 17, 2009 - posted in Road Safety, Safety Solutions
With the equivalent of a jumbo-jet-full of people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads every week and Somerset County Council’s current initiative to reduce fatal and serious injuries by 40% by 2010 (in line with the Government’s target) a recent lunchtime CPD seminar, delivered by Prismo Road Markings Ltd, was extremely well-received.
The road safety products manufacturer and contractor presented a product-focused session to 35 engineering delegates that specifically addressed the issues of accident reduction, using low cost engineering solutions.
Prismo Sales Director, Larry Walsh, who delivered the presentation, commented “We all have a moral duty to make our roads safe for road users and Prismo takes its role very seriously indeed. Even if budgets are restricted, there are always affordable low cost methods that can make a difference in the battle to save lives”.
The presentation featured Prismo’s ‘Colourbright’, the company’s new highly reflective coloured surfacing designed for use as an early warning system at key accident sites. Colourbright is a coloured surfacing with unique properties, giving it a distinctive advantage over traditional products. Its very bright colour is easily detectable by drivers’, thus highlighting possible dangers by day and particularly at night, where its reflectance picks up the approaching vehicle’s headlights. In addition, Colourbright can be installed quickly, is very durable and has a high friction rating, making it ideal for rural roads,
Road Safety is a priority in Somerset.
Somerset County Council (through the Somerset Road Safety Partnership) has introduced its ‘Red Routes’ initiative, which focuses on the major arterial routes through the county, where the greatest number of collisions have taken place. Engineers, collision investigators and road safety specialists are working together to identify the issues and local communities are approached to help identify how driver and rider behaviour can be changed to improve safety along these routes. This may be achieved through driver education strategies with enforcement being considered as a last resort. A variety of engineering measures including improved road layouts, signage and road markings are also deployed where appropriate. In particular ‘Red Route’ signs are being installed at strategic sites where there has been a collision history, to warn divers to adjust their speed and driving styles accordingly.
Martin Hills, Somerset County Council’s Engineering Programme Manager commented, “Prismo showcased products that are well suited to the Council’s Red Routes programme. Some of these products can deliver significant value for money capital savings on initial application, meaning more road surface can be treated. Such low cost engineering solutions could be very useful in helping to provide a uniform approach to the road casualty reduction programme”
Rosie Shanks, Prismo’s Commercial director highlighted the partnership ethos, “Prismo is keen to work in partnership with councils on initiatives such as this. To help achieve the reductions in accidents, in line with government targets, Prismo has partnered with other councils on similar Colourbright trials and the company’s commitment to reducing the number of accidents on UK roads is second to none”.
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!