WJ highlights the importance of proactive asset management to improve road safety and sustainability across UK highways

WJ is highlighting the importance of utilising effective asset management for road markings and studs to increase safety, enable data-led decision making and improve long-term sustainability for local authorities nationwide.

 

As the UK’s road network continues to expand, more than 262,000 miles of highways are now in service. Cars and buses account for 89% of all miles travelled, placing significant pressure on this infrastructure.^[1]Maintaining the network is increasingly challenging, as budgets tighten and expectations grow for progress towards both vision zero and net zero targets.

Road markings and studs are formally recognised as assets within national frameworks such as the Local Government Incentive Fund and the Well-Managed Highways Infrastructure: A Code of Practice, which calls for lifecycle planning and regular performance surveys. However, these assets are still frequently managed reactively, with many authorities lacking detailed, up-to-date records of location, condition, performance and expected service life.

Advances in surveying technology are enabling a shift towards smarter asset management with vehicle-mounted retro-reflectivity and condition surveys, combined with datasets such as STATS19 collision data. This allows authorities to understand how road markings are performing across their networks against collision hotspots, is helping authorities to prioritise interventions where they will deliver the greatest safety and value.

Traditionally, elements of road marking maintenance has relied on visual inspections or routine maintenance, with markings replaced only once they are almost completely worn away or as part of regular schedules when they are still performing. WJ Group advocates replacing this model with systematic surveying using advanced sensor and camera technology to identify underperforming assets before they fail and creating programmes that deliver the best value for money.

By integrating survey results with collision data, surface treatment programmes and planned works, authorities can target, refresh and upgrade schemes more effectively, avoid unnecessary interventions and strategically plan maintenance across the network.

Sustainability is a growing priority, with many local authorities declaring climate emergencies. Better planning, informed by survey data, reduces the need for multiple site visits and replacing markings that are still performing, cutting emissions and minimising disruption for road users.

Similarly, high-performance road marking systems such as Weatherline Plus and Ultra, featuring biogenic binders, offer up to a 73% reduction in embedded carbon compared with traditional thermoplastic markings, while delivering enhanced retro-reflectivity, particularly in wet night conditions.

John Warne, WJ Group Business Development & Marketing Director said: “Effective asset management requires not only technology but also collaboration. We work closely with local authorities to deliver surveys, align maintenance strategies with budget and safety objectives as well as interpreting performance data. These partnerships allow authorities to make evidence-based investment decisions that enhance safety, sustainability and deliver whole life cost value.”