ULTRAGUARD™ : Interview with Mr. Michaux Gauthier, Civil Engineer, Public Services of Wallonia (SPW)
How did you hear about ULTRAGUARD™ and why did you want to test this solution?
I knew about the ULTRAGUARD™ solution back in 2017 as tests of paint and microbeads had been carried out in Belgium.
I subsequently met the SOLOSAR company at the Salon des Mandataires 2022 (Belgium Municipality Convention) where I was offered to carry out an in situ test. I accepted to test the system, as I appreciate the opportunity to introduce new and innovative solutions.
We are constantly looking for products that will make our roads even safer. This helps to limit the number of accidents and to preserve our infrastructure.
Why did you choose our ULTRAGUARD solution for your sites in Mons and Tournai?
Mons and Tournai are two accident-prone sites on our network. We have already tested other solutions besides ULTRAGUARD™ such as painting the GBA in Tournai in red and white.
Unfortunately, there was no decrease in the accident rate. We have considered placing connected solutions on the GBA, but to do so, we need to be able to identify the exact location of the accidents. Very often the accidents that occur are not exactly located or recorded. The quality of the statistics does not allow a precise enough analysis. Only the repair needs allow us to quantify and characterize accidents.
What are the major problems at these two sites on your network?
At these two sites we have carried out several GBA and barrier repairs. These are high speed bends and users can quickly lose control of their vehicles in bad weather.
Why would you recommend ULTRAGUARD™?
ULTRAGUARD™ is a highly reflective coating and it makes road safety devices much more visible to the user, especially on curves or at intersections. This helps to guide the driver, especially at night, and thus avoid accidents.
This solution therefore enables users to better anticipate their driving by increasing their ability to read danger zones. The legibility of the road and therefore the anticipation of drivers are de facto improved. It is a relatively simple solution to implement and seems to be sustainable, which could have a significant impact on the safety of our network.
What process or test will you implement to evaluate the results of the ULTRAGUARD™?
We measured retroreflection on the Tournai site: firstly on wet GBA with a result of 881 mcd/lx/m² and finally, on dry GBA, with a result of 1016 mcm/lx/m².
In addition, it would also be interesting to have feedback on the roads in Mons and Tournai from everyday users and road workers.