Perhaps the biggest and most expensive road improvement scheme in Britain, the A14 Huntingdon to Cambridge regeneration project, has benefitted from the employment of a ‘road marking robot’ which uses precise positioning technology to mark out the position of new white lines on roads.
Such ‘road marking robot’ technology significantly reduces the number of man hours required to deliver new roads and surfaces, with the device having saved 27 hours in marking three miles of hard shoulder on the M4 in Berkshire, 77 hours covering five miles of the M6 in Warwickshire, and six hours working on two miles of the M1 in Leicestershire.
Furthermore, it was the contractor WJ which employed the use of the robot and are now, due to the continued success that its use has brought, considering acquiring a second.
The Construction Director on the A14 project, Julian Lamb stated: “We are always looking at innovative new ways of working, which can help road users, and make our projects more efficient while supporting improved engineering.
“With safety our top priority, the time savings the robot can provide, coupled with removing our operatives from a potentially hazardous situation, make it a great solution.
“We have also been working with a self-driving dumper truck on the project, completing trials of these new technologies to help Highways England more deliver its ambitious programme of roads improvement quickly, safely and efficiently.
“These technologies are also supporting new jobs, with the engineers of tomorrow needing to learn new skills such as programming this autonomous equipment.”
The WJ Group Managing Director, Wayne Johnston added: “I am passionate about changing the way we work in this industry and the WJ Robotic PreMarker represents a real step change. However, it is just a starting point, we will continue to invest in research and development to find better, more efficient and safer ways of working.”
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