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Writer's pictureSafer Highways

Scottish Road First in UK to Use ‘Smooth Ride’ Technology

A Scottish trunk road is set to employ an advanced laser scanning technique, commonly used on racetracks, to optimise resurfacing and achieve a smoother finish.


The A889 trunk road, passing through Dalwhinnie, is to become the first UK road to take advantage of laser scanning technology in resurfacing, a method typically used on airfields.


The work involves using lasers attached to moving vehicles to scan existing road surfaces in advance, allowing BEAR Scotland, operating on behalf of Transport Scotland, to produce a more even road surface. This creates a smoother road surface, while using less bituminous material and will help the drainage of water off the road.


Dubbed ‘Smooth Ride’ technology, this technique produces a smoother road surface, which can be difficult to achieve when resurfacing old roads, and has previously been used on racetracks, first to resurface the Silverstone track in 2019, and then Donington Park’s circuit last year.


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By using lasers to provide a fast and accurate 3D picture of a road condition, repair work can be determined without costly, and sometimes dangerous, lane closures, as well as provide a consistent smoothness without excessive waste.


Although this is the first use of the Smooth Ride method, laser technology has long been utilised in resurfacing. Transport Scotland have previously cited the use of lasers as a key way of inspecting and maintaining the road network, although it does admit the technique has limitations in the real world, for example when it comes to measuring surfaces through standing water.


Ian Stewart, BEAR Scotland’s north west representative, said: “BEAR Scotland are excited to utilise Smooth Ride technology, a first for UK trunk roads.


“This process creates a more even road surface which will help drainage of the road in this location and reduce the amount of bituminous material used and therefore the carbon footprint. The trial will consider whether there would be benefits to using the system on future projects across the trunk road network.”


BEAR Scotland will oversee the innovative resurfacing of the road beginning Monday 30 September, with work ongoing for twenty nights.

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