Scottish Road Research Board

Overview

The Scottish Road Research Board (SRRB) is a partnership between Transport Scotland, the Society of Chief Officers for Transportation in Scotland (SCOTS) and the Scottish Road Works Commissioner (SRWC).

We annually commission research and development work to deliver improvements in safety, construction, operation and maintenance of the Scottish road network.

Our Objectives

Our objectives are to promote and deliver innovation; share new products, techniques and knowledge across Scotland’s road sector. We aim to:

coordinate research activity within the roads community to provide a targeted, prioritised, focussed framework to the development of new processes, procedures, proprietary products and materials across all sectors, properly undertaken and communicated to all
establish better formal links with academia
identify new appropriate potential sources of research funding
establish links with other bodies undertaking road related research, coordinate activity and communicate results and research activity to the wider roads community.

Our Priorities

Our delivery priorities include:

improved connections across Scotland and internationally
better journey times, better reliability, quality and accessibility
low carbon technology & infrastructure, reduced emissions
increased safety, more innovation
continuously improving performance and organisation

How we Work

The SRRB comprises a Board of senior roads professionals from Transport Scotland, SCOTS and the SRWC with research conducted on our behalf by specialist research contractors and / or consultants.

We meet on a quarterly basis to co-ordinate and prioritise ongoing research and to consider new bids for funding.

Our research programme is co-ordinated and managed by a Programme Manager who performs a Secretariat role in providing overall coordination and reporting to the SRRB.

Eligibility & Selection

Projects must be roads related and fall within the context of defined research themes, and realise real benefits in terms of safety, operation and functionality of trunk and local roads.

We assess each project proposal, and those aligning with our delivery priorities are incorporated into our research programme.

How We Are Funded

The research programme is jointly funded by Transport Scotland and SCOTS. Our research budget is around £400,000 per annum.

How We Report

All project reports and other relevant information are disseminated to the roads community in the form of technical reports, advice notes and guidance documents. In most cases, reports are uploaded to this website on a regular basis.

We also recommend projects for presentation at national events such as Road Expo.

For more information on the SRRB research projects, please contact our mailbox at SRRB@transport.gov.scot

News

SRRB research 2019 competition launch

Can you help Scotland’s roads authorities combat the Climate Change emergency?

The Scottish Roads Research Board (SRRB) are offering undergraduate students, or groups of students , the opportunity to apply for research funding for innovative research projects. This provides students with the chance to work with industry to deliver interesting research projects that could help Scotland’s roads overcome the Climate Change emergency.

Applicants should submit a description of their proposed research project detailing objectives, methodology, timescale, risks, deliverables and funds they require to drew.hill@transport.gov.scot.

Responses should be no longer than two sides of A4.

2017-18 research programme

The Board recently met to prioritise and agree the projects going forward to the 2017-18 research programme. The list of new projects includes:

An Assessment of the Geometric Layout of Type A Lay-bys
Innovative Monitoring Strategies for Managing Hazardous Slopes
Accompanied and Virtual Road User Surveys
Analysis of Griptester Data
Electronic Data Monitoring of Resurfacing Works
Developing a Road Condition Indicator for Fretting
Friction After Polishing (FAP) for Skid Performance Specification and Classification
Speed Management Techniques for Principal Roads in Urban Settings
Review of Pedestrian Crossing Guidance LTN 1/95
Sitezone Proximity Warning System
LED Lights on PPE
Early Life SCRIM Performance
SCRIM Investigatory Levels

See the research programme for further details.

Project themes

The themes of the SRRB research programme are aligned with the Scottish Government’s purpose and seek to encourage research projects that support the activities of both trunk and local road authorities in terms of:

Geotechnical & Drainage Engineering – such as consideration of geotechnical and drainage parameters affecting strength and durability of transport infrastructure assets
Design Standards, Specifications & Materials – such as consideration of road construction materials and construction methods and techniques on the strength and durability of carriageways, bridges, retaining walls and other transport infrastructure structural assets
Road and Transport Safety & Security – such as consideration of the effectiveness of road safety strategies and initiatives including research that informs the development, technical performance and effectiveness of road safety system, strategies and initiatives
Bridges and Structures – such as consideration of materials, proprietary systems, design and construction techniques and technologies in relation to the strength and durability of bridges, culverts, footbridges, underpasses, retaining walls, high mast lights and other transport infrastructure structural assets
Maintenance & Operation of Roads and Other Transport Infrastructure Assets – such as consideration of practices, materials, proprietary systems, techniques and technologies that may be used to maintain the serviceability of the transport infrastructure during winter or other adverse weather conditions or events
Traffic & Transportation – such as traffic modelling and consideration of the service levels, capacity, economic performance and cost effectiveness, and growth for roads and other transport modes
Environment & Sustainability – such as consideration of the environmental and sustainability impact and effectiveness of transport infrastructure related practices and schemes and consideration of practices, materials, proprietary systems, techniques and technologies that may be used to improve the environmental and sustainability performance of the transport network
Road Works – such as consideration of improvements in working practices, materials and planning, co-ordination and quality of road works throughout Scotland, along with better monitoring and compliance with legislation

Eligibility & Selection

To be eligible for funding, projects must be roads related and fall within the context of the research themes outlined above.

Projects should realise real benefits in terms of safety, operation and functionality of trunk and local roads in delivering the Scottish Government’s Purpose.

In addition, projects should:

be of priority to the Scottish roads community
investigate Scottish circumstances where these are likely to differ from the rest of the UK
demonstrate a sound business case.

Projects are assessed by the Programme Board, and those aligning with our delivery priorities are incorporated into the research programme.

On-going contributions and memberships

National Winter Service Research Group (NWSRG)
On-going contribution to the NWSRG research programme
http://www.nwsrg.org

Current research projects

Road Surface Noise Reduction Techniques

Research study to produce technical guidance (IAN) associated with low noise surface materials as noted in HD 36/06 and based on specification detail in the (unpublished forthcoming) 900 Series of the Specification for Highway Work.

Completion expected: summer 2019

Road Surface Water Flooding

A scoping study to assess the potential for developing a surface water flooding prediction tool for use by road authorities to inform future improved flood prediction and hazard modelling.

Completion expected: summer 2019

Evaluation of Friction After Polishing Test

This research will develop and test a methodology for using a new European Standard test method called Friction After Polishing (FAP) to classify the level of skid resistance that will be achieved with specific road surfacing materials. This will allow a much more effective and efficient approach to road surface skid resistance specification.

Completion expected: autumn 2019

Early Life SCRIM Performance

Recent examination of data from the trunk road pavement management system suggests that skid resistance values for a proportion re-surface roads fall below Investigatory Level after only a few years of service. This study aims to examine the data in more detail to establish any patterns/trends and explore possible causes.

Completion expected: summer 2019

SCRIM Investigatory Levels

Study to review the appropriateness of the current SCRIM Site Categories and their associated Investigatory Levels, to explore their suitability for the Scottish road network, particularly on more lightly trafficked roads.

Completion expected: summer 2019

Video Based Road Defect Surveys

Trial aiming to assess if the outputs of video surveys could improve quality and reduce costs of road surveys of Scottish road network. The project will report on the accuracy of the video survey in identifying defects and possible maintenance schemes, the costs associated with video surveys compared to traditional methods and a qualitative assessment of the safety and deliverability of each approach.

Completion expected: autumn 2019

Pavement Design Using EME2

Continuation of SRRB research aiming to look at the performance of EME2 as achieved in Scotland, in comparison with traditional materials, examining how HD26 road designs should be adjusted to accommodate the findings of previous research. The study will consider formulating a new series of design charts that consider both fatigue and stiffness.