The first report on The LASR Approach, a collaborative project with The Road Safety TrustXAIS Asset Management, and Enodamus Ltd (of which ITEN member Helen Viner is Director) has been released. The report showcases their research into developing a new methodology for prioritising Local Authority Skid Resistance.

The LASR Approach attempts to understand the link between skid resistance and collision risk on local roads. The report analyses data from 11 authorities and proposes new thresholds and decision-making frameworks to support the prioritisation of maintenance funding for local authority roads.

If adopted, this new approach will facilitate improved outcomes for road users and taxpayers by targeting the locations that will benefit more from skid resistance treatments. Derby City has already trialed the methodology alongside the current approach to assessing skid resistance using 2020 SCRIM data.

Alongside Derby City Council, data was supplied by 10 other local authorities: City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Derbyshire County Council, Doncaster Council, Kirklees Council, Leeds City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, North Lincolnshire Council and City of York Council.

Commenting on the release of the report, Kully Boden, Interim Head of Service for Highways at Derby City Council, said:

“We’re thrilled to be able to share our initial research and findings with local authority colleagues. If proven through trials, this new approach will facilitate improved outcomes for road users and tax payers by targeting the locations that deliver the greatest safety benefits from skid resistance treatments. This is an evidence base that is bespoke to our network, the methodology is easy to implement and absolutely supports a risk-based approach, as recommended in the Well-Managed Highway Infrastructure Code of Practice: October 2016. We would encourage as many colleagues as possible to download the report, review our findings and look forward to receiving feedback that can help us to shape future pilots and expand the dataset further.”

Download and view the report on the LASR Approach website.