StreetScore

The public, including those on the Priority Services Register, often find journeys through and around street works a challenge. When travelling through street works, there is an inevitable level of inconvenience caused by the works. However, the public’s tolerance level quickly diminishes if there are avoidable obstructions or if signage is unclear. The StreetScore project looked to investigate processes, products, and technologies that could be used by the GDNs/DNOs to improve the journeys of individuals through the street works, and prevent people being put into vulnerable situations.

During Phase 1 of the project, a clear understanding had been achieved of the challenges and the situations that could occur due to street works that would put the public in potentially vulnerably situations.

Phase 2 sought to collaborate with a “customer user group” of selected disabled individuals, carers, and advocacy groups. Having this real-world feedback and improving these concepts’ designs through this interaction was be hugely beneficial to the value created. In addition to this, we had access to a similar group to provide an Operatives viewpoint.

This combination is critical to shorten the journey of these concepts from idea to prototype to refined prototype and onward to usable products. This process ensures that the concepts developed will be fit for purpose.

Three main outcomes where achieved during this project:

This provides a draft set of principles which are central to improving the journeys through street works. There are three main strands in this outcome:

• the development of principles for the good practice of laying out of street works with respect to pedestrian journeys.
• a booklet that works through how to practically address these principles in the street works; and
• the development of a training package for operatives specifically designed around how street works can impact disabled individuals.

We found that there was existing equipment or services which could be utilised and employed to make a significant improvement in street works. There are also a number of products which have the potential to make a good impact but depend on the processes of the individual companies to enable these to be developed and progressed.

These technologies are referenced in final report alongside a number of options of how this work could be disseminated to the wider streetworks community and built on over time.

Around forty different processes and products were originally reviewed by the co-creation group of operatives, and members of the public. These were shortlisted into five main concept families:

• Walkways and Ramps

Developing upon existing boardwalk and raised pathway technology to enable a field prototype to be tested; Developing concepts for custom site-made ramps or site-customised ramps

• Making things visible/tactile/audible

Considering how the equipment used can be more visible and less likely to cause hazards; Developing means to add non-visual communication to equipment

• Continuous improvement reviews and checklists

Including site checklist for pre and ongoing operations; Developing a process for independent checking and review; Concept development and field testing of instruction sticker for equipment

• Communications

Considering how a Knowledge System can be developed; Developing concepts for how a specific hotline or similar could be operated; Defining what information the public need to know and when

• Site Assistance

Developing a means of gaining the attention of the operatives at the site for members of the public in need

During Phase 2, these concepts were developed further, undergoing prototyping and validation exercises, including hands on testing by the team at Transport for All. Options for progressing the work has now been provided to the funders.