On Monday 23rd September, Highway Care, in partnership with Balfour Beatty and Connect Plus Services (CPS), hosted a successful Automated Cone Laying Machine (ACLM) industry day at the National Highways Demonstration Centre (NHDC) in Moreton-in-Marsh.
The event was an exciting opportunity for traffic management professionals to witness the future of road safety and efficiency in action, with Highway Care’s flagship innovation, the ACLM, taking centre stage.
The industry day attracted a broad array of attendees, including managing directors, innovation managers, health and safety professionals, and transport and fleet managers from across the traffic management sector.
Their shared goal: to explore cutting-edge automation technology that can revolutionise roadwork operations, improve worker safety, and streamline traffic management processes.
The event kicked off with an insightful presentation by Ben Duncker, Commercial Director at Highway Care, and Dale Hicks, Traffic Manager from Connect Plus Services. Together, they discussed the history and evolution of ACLMs, outlining the key milestones in automation within the traffic management industry. This presentation set the tone for the day, highlighting the crucial role of automated solutions like the ACLM in addressing safety challenges on the UK’s road networks.
After the introduction, attendees moved outdoors to witness live demonstrations of two ACLMs in action. These machines showcased their impressive capability in laying and collecting cones, including executing the precise and critical task of supporting taper installations. The machines operated with smooth precision, demonstrating how automated technology can reduce the need for manual labour in high-risk environments, significantly enhancing worker safety on busy roadways.
In the afternoon, the innovation day took an interactive turn.
Attendees were given the opportunity to step inside the cab of an ACLM to get an up-close look at how the machine operates from the control panel. The expert teams from CPS and Highway Care provided hands-on guidance, explaining the technology behind the operation. To make the experience even more immersive, participants were invited to ride along in the machine as it performed cone-laying and collection tasks, providing them with a first-hand perspective on how the machine delivers both speed and safety improvements.
The industry day successfully highlighted the transformational potential of ACLM technology, as the innovation is set to shape the future of traffic management. This event is one in a series of collaborative industry days focused on developing safer delivery of highways projects for road workers and road users.
For more information on the ACLM, click here.
