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Exploratory Research into Automated Pavement Compliance Testing (ACT) to Improve Safety on the Strategic Road Network

National Highways

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 13:27

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Highways Limited is researching automated pavement compliance testing for England’s Strategic Road Network. The proposed work is a research service focused on automated compliance tests that could replace or reduce manual pavement testing beside live traffic. The research is intended to improve workforce safety, pavement quality, road smoothness and the experience of people using the network. It will examine approaches applicable to highway renewal and maintenance activities across the Strategic Road Network, where current testing exposes operatives to vehicle incursions and people–plant interface hazards. The work relates to approximately 98,500 hours of compliance testing each year. This is a service opportunity for organisations developing or studying automated inspection, pavement materials, testing technology and digital highway monitoring.

This procurement is at the planning stage and is not an invitation to tender. National Highways expects to use the findings of preliminary market engagement to inform technical decisions, standards development and possible future procurement strategies. The engagement is exploratory: responses should address innovation potential, research collaboration and early-stage deployment rather than commercial delivery. An online questionnaire is planned, with responses expected by 31 August 2026. The buyer expects a subsequent notice on 5 October 2026. One lot is planned, with an indicative contract period from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027. The estimated value is £60,000 excluding VAT, or £72,000 including VAT. The planned lot is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The engagement will suit suppliers able to contribute evidence on automated pavement compliance testing, pavement materials, automated testing technologies, digital inspection methods or related research. National Highways is looking for insight into the readiness, capability and applicability of available solutions, as well as the state of the art, adoption risks, barriers and potential pilot trials. Organisations with research, innovation or collaborative development capability may be particularly well placed, including technology developers, specialist engineering businesses, testing providers, universities and other research organisations. Relevant strengths include designing or validating automated tests, collecting and interpreting digital inspection data, understanding highway renewal requirements, and demonstrating safe operation around live traffic. Participation is intended to support preparation for possible future commercial activity, not immediate delivery.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Exploratory Research into Automated Pavement Compliance Testing (ACT) to Improve Safety on the Strategic Road Network

Notice Description

National Highways (NH) is a government owned organisation responsible for operating,, maintaining and improving the Strategic Road Network (SRN) in England. NH is undertaking exploratory research into innovative approaches for pavement compliance testing on the SRN. This work aligns with the Home Safe & Well vision that no one should be harmed while travelling or working on the SRN. Pavement compliance testing is essential to ensure customer safety and the quality of highway renewal works. It is currently estimated that compliance testing activities account for approximately 98,500 work hours on the SRN each year. At present, much of this testing is carried out at night by operatives working adjacent to live traffic, exposing them to significant risks including vehicle incursions and people-plant interface hazards. There is an urgent need to explore and accelerate the adoption of automated compliance tests (ACT) that can remove operatives from high-risk live traffic environments. Early research indicates that such technologies have the potential not only to significantly improve workforce safety, but also to enhance pavement quality, deliver smoother roads, and improve the overall customer experience.

Planning Information

The purpose of this preliminary market engagement is to undertake exploratory research and gather insight from industry on the readiness, capability, and applicability of automated pavement compliance testing solutions. This engagement seeks to understand the state of the art, identify risks and barriers to adoption, and understand opportunities for pilot trials and collaborative innovation. Organisations with experience in pavement materials, automated testing technologies, digital inspection methods, or related research are invited to contribute to this exploratory engagement by completing an online questionnaire, available through the following link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/D5Q2RMd13x Responses should focus on innovation potential, research collaboration, and early-stage deployment rather than commercial delivery. This notice is issued as part of a Preliminary Market Engagement exercise under the Procurement Act 2023. Participation does not constitute a commitment to procure or award any contract, nor does it provide any guarantee of involvement in future commercial opportunities. Information gathered may be used to inform technical decision-making, standards development, and potential future procurement strategies.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dc68
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074204-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£60,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Oct 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Dec 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Highways
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BIRMINGHAM
Postcode
B4 6GA
Postcode Area
Birmingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLG West Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLG3 West Midlands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLG31 Birmingham
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
Local Authority
Birmingham
Electoral Ward
Ladywood
Westminster Constituency
Birmingham Ladywood

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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