TRL looks to new generation of roads in award-winning paper

Date: 2/8/2011

A paper envisioning what the future generation of roads in Europe will be like has been given an award.

Written by TRL's (Transport Research Laboratory) Regional Manager for Wales Martin Lamb and Director of Infrastructure Bob Collis, The Forever Open Road - Defining the Next Generation Road has been named the top essay in Road Design and Road Construction at the approaching XXIV World Road Congress.

Set to take place in Mexico City from September 26th to 30th, the event is organised by the World Road Association (PIARC) and aims to share global experiences and emerging techniques in the field of infrastructure and transport.

Mr Lamb and Mr Collis' paper describes a concept entitled The Forever Open Road - streets and highways that are resilient, adaptable and automated.

This thinking would replace what the experts term a "hit and miss" approach to road research with a comprehensive strategy that can be rolled out across Europe.

Forming the flagship programme of the Forum of Highways Research Laboratories, the concept is already receiving support from technology trials that are also paving the way for large-scale demonstrations detailing how this next generation of roads will operate.

Posted by Mary Treen