Robot traffic cones ‘will cut roadworks queues’

Creators say remote-controlled bollards can
move off motorways in less than a minute

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The remote-controlled bollards,
dubbed “robo-cones”, can be “driven” onto motorways to
close lanes when required, and left sitting by the side of the road
when not in use, Auto Express reports.

Collecting standard traffic cones after roadworks have been
completed is a “notoriously dangerous job”, says the magazine. Road
workers frequently close off large sections of motorway in order
“to avoid making treacherous sorties more often than is
essential”.

Presenting the prototype robo-cone at the Cheltenham Science
Festival, engineer Richard Golledge said the most dangerous part of
setting up a row of cones is the “taper” – the angled
start of the line that begins at the edge of a lane and moves out
to close it completely.

“It takes 15 minutes to do a taper, but with the
remote-controlled cones it will take less than a minute,” he
said.

The robo-cones could also significantly reduce traffic jams
caused by roadworks, since they can quickly return to the hard
shoulder when no longer required, The Sun says.  

Before the prototype cones are permitted on UK
roads, Costain will need to seek approval from the Highways
Agency. 

At around £100 each, the robo-cones are also “hugely more
expensive” than standard bollards, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The pricier hi-tech versions are fitted with GPS tracking
system, so they could be tracked down if “stolen by students”,
adds The Times.