A line-up of intelligent roadside safety and information applications have been demonstrated by Norfolk-based technology firm Westcotec at the UTAC Proving Ground in Bedfordshire.

An audience of senior representatives from the Department for Transport, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Centre for Connected and Automated Vehicles attended the event, organised by the Transport Technology Forum, to observe a range of technologies available immediately for roadside and in-vehicle use.

Members of the Westcotec team demonstrated the following technologies:

Flood Alert System, used on the roadside for water height measurement. The demonstration took place using a large water container in the UTAC exhibition hall, to recreate a flooding scenario. Twin amber flashers on a reflective plate sign showed the message ‘Road closed when lights show’. This was installed nearby to show how the information is presented to drivers.

Pedestrian Detection and Warning System, presented on a simulated Zebra crossing area and using a demonstration pole with the Zebrite beacon to mark the crossing point. A sensor mounted on a solar-powered tower detected pedestrians on crossing, leading to the sign illuminating and the in-vehicle Virtual Variable Message Sign (VVMS) to display and play an audible alert.

Over-height Detection System, utilising an optical beam. When broken, this beam recreates the presence of an above-height vehicle that results in a trigger being sent to a platform for VVMS display and a VVMS alert.

The UTAC exhibition area also allowed the team to demonstrate the recently-introduced Westconnect remote access platform, showing a wide range of data that can be accessed from any of Westcotec’s 18,000 roadside information and warning signs.

Westcotec sales director Olly Samways said: “This was a great opportunity to demonstrate how Westcotec is playing its part in delivering safer roads.

“Take our flood alert system, for example. When water is at a certain height, the Westcotec flood alert system activates the sign and also displays on a VVMS in vehicles.

“This has been shown not only to be a highly accurate and effective piece of road safety technology, it has also led to a significant reduction in stranded vehicles and unnecessary call-outs to the rescue services.

“The VVMS system has been designed by George Brown from KL Systems. We have been working with George for the last few years to develop this tech, utilising our real-time roadside intelligent detections.

“We sense it’s a pivotal moment for Westcotec to be offering this technology. We are using real-time detections to communicate to motorists in vehicles, as well as maximising the impact of the more traditional illuminated signs. Both have a key role to play in improving access to data and information that can only make our roads safer in future. 

“We thank our colleagues at Roadside Technologies for supplying the solar-powered telescopic towers that hosted our equipment on display throughout the day.”

All the Westcotec applications shown at the event are available now for integration with new equipment, or for hassle-free retro-fitting onto any of its intelligent systems.

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