S30033 SkRAM3 2026-29

National Highways makes use of various tools to monitor the condition of the strategic road network and to facilitate research and innovation. This opportunity concerns tools related to understanding the friction characteristics of pavement surfacing materials. These tools currently comprise:

• Skid Resistance Development Platform (SkReDeP), a sideways-force coefficient routine investigation machine incorporating a texture laser and bespoke data collection system,
• Pavement Friction Tester (PFT), consisting of tow vehicle and test trailer,
• Wehner Schulze Friction After Polishing (FAP) device, including slurry tank and grit blasting cabinet,
• GripTester (GT), including water delivery system, and
• Circular texture meter (CTM).

Details of each device are given in an accompanying document. Historically, these tools have contributed to the technical understanding of friction phenomena, evaluating the performance of novel surfacing materials and monitoring the consistency of the surfaces used to certify other devices.

These tools are specialist devices that require specialist support and operation. The estimated replacement cost is £1.5m in total. This service is being commissioned to provide:

1. Secure storage, maintenance, calibration and quality assurance of the tools, maintaining each such that it is available for use,
2. Operation of the tools for data collection to support the implementation of standards (primarily CS 228 and CD 236) and innovation (e.g. in data collection or surfacing materials),
3. Development, acquisition or disposal of the equipment as may be required, and
4. Advice to National Highways in matters related to the application of the tools and their use to obtain high quality data.