Contact:
New road surface technology with anti-ice properties trialed for the first time in the UK
COVENTRY, UK —A new technology with a documented track record of reducing weather-related crashes on roads and bridges throughout the United States has been used for a trial period for the first time in the United Kingdom.
Cargill’s SafeLane® surface overlay is a patented combination of epoxy and aggregate that acts like a rigid sponge, storing anti-icing chemical applied before storms, then automatically releasing it as snow and ice conditions develop. It also provides superior friction, giving drivers better traction year-round, while sealing pavements to help prevent their degradation.
Optima IM, the Highways Agency operating MAC for Area 11, managed the installation of SafeLane® overlay at a site near Coventry. The overlay was applied on the Southbound lanes of the A46 approach to A428.
In all, the overlay was applied to 952 square meters. “The Highways Agency constantly assesses new ways to deliver safer roads and protect the public’s safety,” said Iftikhar Mir, HA Area 11 service manager. “Our goal is to reduce winter weather-related incidents, deliver safe roads and reliable journey times.”
SafeLane® surface overlay works when standard anti-icing chemicals are applied before a storm is expected. The overlay stores the chemicals inside, automatically releasing them to help prevent frost or ice from forming on the roadway. In addition, the overlay keeps releasing the anti-icing chemicals over multiple weather events.
Geoff Lott, lead designer for small works at Optima said: "We are very pleased to add SafeLane® overlay to our toolbox as another option for keeping ice away and motorists safer."
Under an agreement signed last year, British-based Safecote Ltd. holds the rights to market SafeLane® overlay in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Safecote Ltd. markets an environmentally friendly additive to de-icing salts and liquid chlorides to reduce corrosion, rock salt amounts and environmental impact. “SafeLane® overlay is a perfect complement to Safecote’s own line of winter maintenance products,” said Mark Dutton, managing director of Safecote Ltd. “We are delighted to bring this proven technology for improving safety and mobility to this part of the world.”
An analysis of SafeLane® overlay’s winter performance during the past two years by a leading ice and snow control expert has found a significant reduction in weather-related crashes at all test sites reporting data. Many of these sites are bridges that previously had a long history of weather-related crashes. And, many of these sites reported no weather-related crashes following SafeLane® overlay’s installation. Copies of the reports are posted at www.cargillsafelane.com.
Improved traction year-round is one of the immediate benefits motorists crossing the SafeLane® overlay site should experience following the installation. Studies at many other SafeLane® overlay installation sites found a 30-40 percent improvement in surface friction after the overlay’s installation.
The SafeLane® overlay site in Coventry represents the first installation of SafeLane® technology on a road or bridge outside the United States.
Notes to Editors
Optima Infrastructure Management is the Operating MAC for the Highways Agency for Area 11.
Area 11 covers sections of the M6, M42, A5 and A500 through the East Midlands and West Midlands.
The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. It manages, maintains and improves England's motorways and trunk roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.
Optima Infrastructure Management is an integrated joint venture between Atkins and Enterprise Accord. It is the Managing Agent Contractor working on behalf of the Highways Agency in Area 11.
The Highways Agency traffic information website is at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo.
About Cargill
Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 158,000 employees in 66 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit www.cargill.com.
Cargill in the UK and Ireland
Cargill has been active in the United Kingdom since 1955 and now employs around 2,900 people in 15 locations, in London, Cobham, Hereford, Hull, Liverpool (four locations), Manchester, Runcorn, Newent, York, Witham St Hughs, Wolverhampton and Worksop. Cargill also has an agriculture joint venture with Allied Grain, under the name Frontier Agriculture. In Ireland, Cargill has a poultry plant in Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, that employs nearly 100 people.
About Safecote
Safecote Limited provides a highly effective corrosion inhibitor for use with rock salt and other chlorides used to clear roads of ice and snow in the UK. Safecote is blended from natural, environmentally friendly ingredients, to a consistent specification. The technology is fully patented for use in the UK, Europe and Asia. Since 1994 Safecote has been increasingly used as an additive to de-icing salts and liquid chlorides. It has been fully tested by Transport Research Laboratory Ltd (TRL) in the UK and over 50 Highway Authorities and maintenance contractors in the UK alone now benefit from this de-icing technology. In addition Safecote is now being added to liquid chlorides in eight other European Countries to reduce corrosion and extend the life of chlorides on the road surface. For further information please visit www.safecote.com/.