The 18-month project, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) and Transport for London (TfL), will study engineering techniques that utility contractors could use for temporary road surfacing methods and fast-setting replacement road surfaces. This would allow work to be carried out more work at quieter times and re-open roads during peak traffic periods to reduce delays and disruption.
Transport secretary Philip Hammond said: "Everyone knows how frustrating the delays caused by road works can be, which is why we want utilities and local authorities to be able to make the most of the technology available to help keep disruption to a minimum.
"This project will investigate how innovative engineering can provide greater flexibility and allow more road works to be carried out at times when the travelling public will be least inconvenienced.
"By using technology to its full effect, as well as making sure that local authorities across the country have the powers they need, I hope that we can see fewer needless jams caused by road works."
London’s transport commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: "Only 20% of utility road works are currently carried out during off-peak hours on the most congested parts of the Transport for London road network, compared to over 70% of TfL’s work. By developing these new techniques to enable road works to be done more rapidly, we can make sure that this research meets the needs of all respective industries, and ultimately reduces disruption and congestion on the capital's major roads."
London Mayor Boris Johnson said that the research funding was a quid pro quo for the lane rental charging scheme that he plans to introduce next year. (Click here for that news story.)
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