An Irish start-up whose project tackles the problems of measuring the night visibility of road lines and markers has been awarded €1m to fund its concept as part of the EU Horizon 2020 scheme.
The project, developed by Reflective Measurement Systems (RMS), will look to develop a new technology called RetroTek-M Mobile Retroreflectometer, which measures in real driving conditions’ the retro reflectivity (Rl) and nighttime visibility of road markings and road studs.
The eventual aim of the project is to provide technologically advanced, cost-effective and user-friendly solutions to the problem of maintaining night visibility on road networks.
The company currently employs three people directly but also works closely with eight financial, engineering and computer contractors.
It has collaborated with ITB in Blanchardstown in the past and plans to continue to do while also looking to collaborate with other global academic and research institutes.
RMS now hopes to use this EU funding to create jobs in marketing, sales, technical and engineering roles to strengthen its team.
It then expects to begin pilot and field testing at the end of 2015, with the technology available commercially in 2016.
Speaking after the confirmation of the funding, RMS’ CEO Joe Turley said: “We believe that this technology will revolutionise how road markings will be surveyed in the future as it will allow road stakeholders (road authorities, councils, road and marking contractors, toll operators) to survey road networks quickly, economically and safely.”
Road at night image via Shutterstock
