SmartSite · Project

Smart Safety System That Protects Workers and Speeds Up Highway Construction Sites

constructionPilotedTRL 7

smartsite.horizon2020.co

Imagine a busy highway where crews are fixing roads — workers on foot dodging heavy machinery, tall vehicles risking hitting overhead cables, and everything constantly shifting around. It's dangerous and slow. SmartSite built a smart monitoring system that acts like a digital safety net for these temporary work zones, warning workers and machine operators before something goes wrong. Think of it as giving the entire construction site spatial awareness, so people and machines can work together without accidents, and jobs get done faster with less disruption to traffic.

By the numbers

SME consortium partner (Highway Resource Solutions Ltd)

100%

Industry participation ratio in consortium

Total project deliverables produced

2030

Target year for Europe's transport infrastructure plans referenced

The business problem

What needed solving

Highway and infrastructure construction sites are dangerous environments where workers on foot share confined, constantly changing spaces with heavy moving machinery. High vehicles risk striking overhead structures and cables, and traditional safety measures struggle to keep up with rapidly shifting site layouts. This leads to workplace injuries, project delays, and traffic disruption — problems that get worse as governments push to upgrade aging transport networks without building new roads.

The solution

What was built

SmartSite delivered a fully operational integrated smart site safety system with photographic documentation, plus a prototype mechanical housing backed by 3D CAD design files. The system builds on the existing Intellicone® technology platform to provide scalable, rapidly deployable worksite safety management across 7 total deliverables.

Audience

Who needs this

Highway maintenance contractors managing temporary road worksMajor infrastructure construction firms with confined active sitesNational highway agencies responsible for worker and motorist safetyRail and utility operators with field crews near heavy plantConstruction safety equipment distributors looking for smart technology products

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Highway Maintenance

any

Target: Road maintenance contractors and national highway agencies

If you are a highway maintenance contractor dealing with worker safety risks on temporary road works — this project developed the SmartSite integrated safety system that prevents collisions between workers on foot and moving plant. It builds on the Intellicone® technology platform to provide real-time spatial awareness across the work zone, reducing accident risk and helping crews finish faster so roads reopen sooner.

Infrastructure Construction

enterprise

Target: Large civil engineering and infrastructure construction firms

If you are a construction company managing major infrastructure projects with confined, continuously changing worksites — SmartSite provides a scalable, easy-to-deploy safety management system. It tackles the specific danger of high vehicles striking overhead structures and cables, and enables safer interaction between personnel and heavy machinery on complex build sites.

Railway and Utilities Maintenance

mid-size

Target: Rail network operators and utility companies with field crews

If you are a railway operator or utility company where field crews work near moving equipment and overhead hazards — this technology was designed to be flexible and rapidly deployed on temporary worksites. SmartSite's integrated system can be adapted to any confined work environment where personnel safety around heavy plant is critical, reducing incidents and improving operational efficiency.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What does it cost to deploy this system on a worksite?

The project data does not include specific pricing or deployment costs. Highway Resource Solutions (HRS) is an SME that developed this as a commercial product building on their existing Intellicone® platform, so pricing would need to be discussed directly with HRS. The system was designed to be scalable and easy to use, suggesting flexible deployment options.

Can this scale to large infrastructure projects across multiple sites?

Yes — scalability was a core design goal. The objective explicitly states SmartSite provides a technology solution that is 'easy to use and scalable.' It was built to handle the demands of both highway maintenance and major infrastructure construction, with HRS targeting growth across Europe and beyond.

What is the IP and licensing situation?

The Intellicone® technology platform is owned by Highway Resource Solutions Ltd, a UK-based SME. As the sole consortium partner on this SME Instrument Phase 2 project, HRS retains full IP rights. Any licensing or purchase arrangements would need to go through HRS directly.

Has this been tested in real working conditions?

The project delivered a 'fully operational smart site technology' documented with photos in a report, plus a physical prototype of the mechanical housing with 3D CAD data. This indicates the system moved beyond lab testing to a working demonstration, though details of specific field trials are not provided in the available data.

Does this meet safety regulations for highway work zones?

The system was developed in close engagement with end-users in the highway maintenance sector, which suggests alignment with industry safety requirements. However, specific regulatory certifications or compliance standards are not detailed in the available project data. HRS would need to confirm current certification status.

What is the timeline from purchase to deployment on site?

The project objective emphasizes that SmartSite is designed for rapid deployment on temporary worksites that are 'confined and continuously changing.' The system was built to be easy to use, suggesting minimal setup time. Specific deployment timelines would depend on site complexity and should be confirmed with HRS.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a single-company project — Highway Resource Solutions Ltd, a UK-based SME, was the sole partner. That means all development, IP, and commercial decisions sit with one company, which simplifies any business engagement. HRS is classified as an SME with a private commercial focus (activity type: PRC), and the project was funded through the SME Instrument Phase 2 — a competitive EU scheme that backs companies close to bringing a product to market. With 100% industry participation and zero academic partners, this project was entirely commercially driven from day one. For a potential buyer or partner, this means you would be dealing directly with the technology owner, with no university licensing complications.

How to reach the team

Highway Resource Solutions Ltd (UK) — contact the commercial or business development team at HRS for licensing and deployment discussions.

Order a report on this consortium

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want an introduction to the SmartSite team? SciTransfer can connect you directly with Highway Resource Solutions to discuss deployment, licensing, or partnership opportunities.

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