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Information updated August 2023
The risk-based Road Restraint Systems standard does not follow the traditional standard format. The Standard has two parts that must be used together:
The RRRAP provides the designer with a tool to assist in the provision of a safe road design for hazards that are sited adjacent to the carriageway. v3.0 onwards are cloud hosted tools.
The RRRAP tool provides the client with an auditable record of the roadside in the form of a list of roadside furniture, structures, water hazards, roads, railways, and other features which pose a hazard to errant vehicles that have left the carriageway. It also provides a record of the minimum road restraint provision which the designer will then optimise through the process of hazard design, moving or removing hazards, specifying setback – working width/vehicle intrusion combinations, and benefit cost analysis, for installation specification and future maintenance.
It applies site specific data to each hazard allowing the risk of impact and likelihood of occupant injury to be assessed for any hazard with multiple complex factors being applied which may influence the risk of injury to occupants of an errant vehicle. Factors such as offset from the running lane, topography of the ground in advance of the hazard, the aggressiveness of the hazard itself and other factors such as accident history, traffic volume, vehicle type, and any effects on third parties.
The formulae within the RRRAP reproduce research findings which reflect risk factors found in a number of research reports undertaken in the UK and Worldwide. These are summarised in the Errant Vehicle report which is available to download here.
The outputs of RRRAP were benchmarked against IRRRS and TD19/85 and have been developed through the continuous improvement process leading to the release of RRRAP v3. The RRRAP outputs provide a good basis for hazard mitigation solutions whether that is removal of the hazard, installation of passively safe furniture or protection with vehicle restraint systems. The provision of solutions meeting or exceeding current standards are subject to agreement with the client and the provision of solutions not meeting current standards require agreement with the overseeing organisation through the departure from standards process.
RRRAP ACCOUNT APPLICATION PROCESS – for schemes in Wales
Where risk assessment Option 1 has been selected from CD 377 WNAA clause W/2.3, the RRRAPfW assessment should be undertaken utilising the Wales organisation area within WebRRRAP which can be found at:
https://rrrap.nationalhighways.co.uk/rrrap/login/login.htm
To access the WG area of WebRRRAP the user should send an email request to:
RRRAP@gov.wales with the following details: -
• User Name
• Organisation Name
• Email Address
• Contact Number
• Regional Area (SWTRA / NMWTRA)
NOTE: RRRAPfW is not a storage system, records should be downloaded / backed up on a frequent basis. It is required that once the design has reached the print off appendix 4-1 stage, the record is removed (or downloaded by csv file) to free up record slots.
For any RRRAPfW / risk assessment to be completed, all records declarations need to be completed and signed off. Once the declaration is signed and the entry is final the output csv file is to be submitted to RRRAP@gov.wales where the record will be retained on the WG asset management system for future needs.
RRRAP ACCOUNT APPLICATION PROCESS – For all other users
Each organisation will request a username and password for their organisation by means of a nominated super-user who will administer access to their allocation of record slots to other designers within their organisation. All slots / records are accessible ONLY to the organisation to which they are allocated.
The organisation's super-user will need to demonstrate current and future scheme records or justify the issue of an account for other reasons (education, training or research purposes).
The number of slots allocated to each organisation will be made based on workload / expected users.
Super-users will be notified of their account details by email together with the location of the login page. Super-users can create accounts for other users within their organisation from the account administration section within the RRRAP.
PLEASE NOTE: RRRAP is not a storage system, records should be downloaded / backed up on a frequent basis. It is required that once the design been concluded to output the reports and the record removed by exporting it to free up record slots. Exported records can be imported back into RRRAP at a later date if required.
RRRAP ACCOUNT APPLICATION REQUESTS
Send email request to: RRRAP@nationalhighways.co.uk
State ORGANISATION REGISTRATION REQUEST in the subject line.
The email shall contain the following details : -
RRRAP Login Link
https://rrrap.nationalhighways.co.uk/rrrap/login/login.htm
RRRAP Introduction Videos
For Super-users.
For Users.
Written User Guide (in-tool guidance is updated frequently)
Contained here are the GA drawings for NPSBS systems - TCB, OBB, RHSA, VCB and HVCB. These are for reference/information only.
For copies of the Non Proprietary Safety Barrier System (NPSBS) drawings, please email vrsenquiries@nationalhighways.co.uk
The discipline structure and related codes are as follows:
The asset lifecycle structure and related codes are as follows:
As an example: ‘GD 304 - Designing health and safety into maintenance’
Recorded webinars:
DMRB briefing notes (discipline-specific):
To make it clearer about what type of change has been made, the standards documents will be versioned as follows:
The Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW) is a standard suite of specification documents which are included within a construction contract and the Contractor is required to comply with its contents. It is used in most cases when Overseeing Organisations employ a Contractor.
The current published MCHW is made up of the following volumes:
Volume number | Volume title | Content |
0 | Manual Contract Document for Major Works and Implementation Requirements | Volume 0 contains the Model Contract documents for Highway Works and includes the instructions for tendering and typical contract documentation for the preparation of contracts for the construction, improvement and maintenance of the Trunk Road network in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. |
1 | Specification for Highway Works | Volume 1 contains the requirements and approvals procedures for work, goods or materials used in the construction, improvement or maintenance of the Trunk Road network. |
2 | Notes for Guidance on the Specification for Highway Works | Volume 2 gives advice and guidance in the implementation of the specifications given in Volume 1, as well as examples of tables and appendices necessary for the contract. |
3 | Highway Construction Details | Volume 3 contains drawings to be used in the preparation of contracts for the construction, improvement and maintenance of the Trunk Road network. |
4 | Bills of Quantities for Highway Works | Volume 4 gives the method of measurement and the bills of quantities necessary for the tendering and evaluation process. |
5 | Contract Documents for Specialist Activities | Volume 5 contains contracts for specialist activities such as geodetic surveys, ground investigation, mechanical and electrical installations in road tunnels, movable bridges and bridge access gantries, as well as trenchless installation of highway drainage and service ducts. |
6 | Departmental Standards and Advice Notes on Contract Documentation and Site Supervision | Volume 6 contains advice on the use of substances hazardous to health in highway construction and the New Roads and Streetworks Act. Information and requirements for Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 can be found in IAN 105/08 which replaces SD 10/05 and SD 11/05. |
The UK Motorways and all-purpose trunk roads are managed using a set of central design standards and specifications, including:
The DMRB was relaunched in 2020 with a new, consistent, and digitalised format.
During 2025 the MCHW will be similarly relaunched. We will make a further announcement about the precise launch date once this is finalised. This is likely to be late summer in 2025 and will be after the European Commission has had the opportunity to review the final draft of MCHW and any feedback received has been addressed.
The updating of the MCHW is all part of a digital framework for standards content that will support innovation in digital design, construction and operation of highways infrastructure.
Future MCHW Vision
The updated MCHW will deliver clear and unambiguous requirements and instructions, fully compatible with modern contract forms and future construction practices.
What will it look like?
The overarching MCHW document set will have a new structure, which is shown in the picture below. There is also a picture showing a side-by-side comparison of new to old. Picking out a few key aspects:
All of this has been made possible by the digitalisation of the MCHW – you may have seen some of the behind-the-scenes insights on the digitalisations at recent conferences such as Highways UK & Roads Expo Scotland.
Why is the MCHW changing?
The updated MCHW will be a set of specification documents fit for the digital world.
The current set of specification documents are in many cases out of date, inconsistent and occasionally ambiguous. The updated MCHW will be consistent, unambiguous and digitalised.
How does this affect me?
The updated MCHW will be published on the Standards for Highways website in 2025 and start to be used on new projects and schemes (subject to relevant contracts).
Existing contracts and frameworks are expected to be largely unaffected as they are likely to continue to use the version of the MCHW as stated in their contract. Your project teams should advise on a project-level basis.
How can I prepare?
This is a big change!
A communication & change programme is in place which will include post-implementation support (see below). You may have seen some presentations on the future MCHW at Traffex, Highways UK or Roads Expo Scotland. If you would like us to present at an event you are arranging, please get in touch.
Any questions? Please email standards_enquiries@nationalhighways.co.uk or use the feedback form.
Support for Transition
For those familiar with TSS Plans Registry: