Every road user's invisible friend never stands still

Every day we are part of traffic, if not as participants, then as road workers. Do you ever realize how much is done to provide safe infrastructure for everyone? Probably not and that makes sense, you need to keep your attention on traffic, or working on the road. Yet we are constantly influenced, informed and protected by traffic devices that are supposed to ensure that we don't have accidents and ensure that our chances of survival are maximized should calamities occur.

One of the behind-the-scenes companies engaged daily in the design, production and delivery of products and solutions within the road safety and road infrastructure activities is Saferoad Holland BV (formerly Prins Dokkum BV). As of 2010 part of the Saferoad Group, which has had its roots in Norway since 1947. We speak with Herman Odijk, Managing Director and Henk Zwartenkot, Director Business Development. Two men with a clear mission: to pave the country's roads towards zero fatalities. Vision Zero, to speak in terms of Saferoad.

Specification service Saferoad - recently went online via its website in July 2019. The aim is to generate correct tender texts using a practical tool.

Together you achieve more

One of Saferoad's greatest strengths is the vast knowledge at its disposal, founded on decades of experience. "We can only achieve Vision Zero by being transparent and sharing what we know," Odijk opens the conversation. "Our advisory role to road authorities, engineers, consulting firms, municipalities, provinces and contractors aims to jointly arrive at a balanced road design. We make an excellent contribution to the road design process. It is important that anyone with questions can approach us. Don't reinvent the wheel, but make use of that low threshold we have. Together you achieve more."

Vision Zero goes a long way at Saferoad Group: it is an integral part of the mindset throughout the group. Zwartenkot outlines it nicely when he says, "We have a code of conduct. We set high standards for ourselves and for our impact on the environment and society. Saferoad always acts in compliance with laws and regulations and in accordance with generally accepted social norms and values. Companies enjoy working together because of our good reputation, with openness, honesty and the drive to improve as a common thread running through everything. Working together toward zero serious injuries and zero fatalities is our mission."

Motorcycle protection from Saferoad. Motoshield performs in the highest performance class C70 - I. Location Kerkrade N300 exit.

There is more functional thinking than before

Odijk notes that much has changed in Europe. "There is less product-specific prescription and more thinking in terms of functionality. Parties like Rijkswaterstaat, are now much more focused on functionality in the call for tenders. There is less and less knowledge available and the subject matter is becoming more complex. That is why we are ready for anyone with questions. We advise and point them in the right direction. Our specifications service went online in July of this year. We use it to support contracting authorities in submitting a comprehensive and correct request for roadside protection products. The specifications service works very visually and tender texts are generated automatically. The specifications service complies with the RAW system. This makes functional requests for proposal qualitatively better and procurement easier."

Innovation is constant within the Saferoad Group, and any party that would like to be well-versed when it comes to infrastructure safety measures and resources can benefit from the knowledge that is shared. This makes Saferoad the invisible friend of every road user.