Manhole Covers – Grip Top
Following the “It’s Not Rocket Science” theme, the following statement can not be argued against – metallic manhole or service covers, offer almost no traction, and are slippery when wet.
However there is a solution that has been around for a few years and has now received a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.
For motorcycles, scooters and bicycles that are particularly vulnerable to loss of control, from sudden changes of available grip, especially while cornering or braking, or insufficient grip in high demand situations such as sudden braking or swerving to avoid collision, “Grip Top” offers levels of grip comparable to other road surroundings.
The adoption of ‘Grip-Top’ in high risk situations such as bends, roundabouts, traffic lights and other areas where bikers and cyclists typically lose control and become casualties would reduce risk in such danger zones.
The development team of this unique product comprises Saint-Gobain Pipelines for the ironwork, Stirling Lloyd for treatment surface technology and Bristol City Council for the road trials and assessments.
In August 2007 the British Motorcyclists Federation (BMF) produced a document on Manhole Covers and covered the issue of European Standard EN 124 that manhole covers are manufactured but the standard doesn’t specify minimum grip levels.
In October 2007 the Federation of European Motorcyclists’ Association (FEMA) responded to a consultation regarding CEN124 to amend the standard to require the use of covers with acceptable in-service skid/slip resistance.
FEMA pointed out that covers are designed for durability in terms of mechanical stability, i.e., they do not break, deform, or displace, not for adequate and sustained levels of skid resistance.
Adding that where grip is required, the standard recommends a texture be applied to the cover. However, in use, the skid resistance of many covers deteriorates rapidly as they become polished by passing traffic. This results in a cover with poor skid resistance compared to the surrounding highway.
FEMA stated that they believed that the surface of the highway should not present avoidable hazards to motorcyclists. That the hazards presented by slippery manhole (inspection) covers are entirely avoidable. The use of covers with acceptable in-service skid/slip resistance could be mandated by the European Standard as a contribution to the EU commitment to reducing road casualties.
Since then it has all gone quiet.
The IHE Guidelines for Motorcycling, which we understand Northern Irelands Roads Service takes notice off, sets out several times the issue of Manhole Covers or Service Covers – Utility Covers.
Road Design & Traffic Engineering
When redesigning an existing layout consider the position and level of utility covers, especially on bends and within braking or steering areas. Avoid forcing riders to over-run them whenever possible. If it is unavoidable, use covers with a skid resistance similar to the surrounding road surface.
Motorcycle & Road Safety Audit
Service covers and gully gratings. Locating ironwork out of the wheel tracks of twin track vehicles or on the outside of bends can place them on the line used by motorcycles.
This presents a sudden change in road surface properties leading to stability problems. It should also be noted that water on service covers freezes sooner than water on the surrounding road surface. If the cover cannot be moved, it should be provided with a surface finish compatible with the skid resistance of the surrounding road.
Road Maintenance
One of the most regular problems raised by motorcyclists is that of service covers.
Designers and maintenance engineers should take every opportunity to assess the use of steel service covers in the carriageway and, where relocation is impossible, consider replacement with high skid resistance covers.
The most difficult sites are those where the cover lies on the riding line during a change of direction, either turning a corner, rounding a bend or at roundabouts. Proposals to position new covers within the carriageway, especially at roundabouts, should be discouraged.
The British and European Standard on service covers is under review with the intention of including a requirement for enhanced skid resistance. Anti-skid surfaces can be retro-fitted to covers that cannot be relocated.
Where utility companies intend renewal of apparatus in the road it should be suggested to them that new covers should be a “skid proof” type.
In new developments the local authority should advise on the location of covers and perhaps specify that they are located in service strips in the verge/footway as opposed to the carriageway.
Click Here to Down Load Grip Top Brochure 1.99mb
BMF – Manhole Covers – August 2007 – Version 1 pdf 63kb
FEMA – A Consultation Response October 2007 pdf 204kb
IHE Guidelines for Motorcycling – www.motorcyclingguidelines.org.uk
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