A common theme across all Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) presenting at the Future Roads 2025 conference was: ‘How can the industry deliver better value from limited funding?’ The pinch on funding continues to require the ratepayer’s dollar to be stretched even further. Risk management continues to be a focus of the industry. Whether it be the change in ‘trailing twelve months’ to a risk-based approach or greater ownership of risk by RCAs, there is a push for those that are best positioned to manage risk to take it on. There was a lot of good discussion on how to optimise outcomes at this year’s conference.
Hiway, a carbon-neutral pavement specialist, reported that the Future Roads conference is a great event to connect with customers, supply chain partners and asset owners alike.
‘The diverse mix of attendees always offers great conversation and insight. With a diversity of views based on experience of managing the day-to-day needs of these assets, conference attendees get a great oversight into many of the issues of the day,’ says a Hiway spokesperson. ‘Asset owners are always looking for ways to manage costs through innovation or changing the methodology of delivery, which we at Hiway are focused on supporting. Having the platform and forum to have so many of these conversations in one place is ideal for industry growth and problem-solving.’
For Hiway, it provided an opportunity to showcase the core product offering and to promote innovation that the company is bringing to market. Hiway is the leader in pavement recycling. Using a mixture of the latest off-the-shelf technology and homegrown innovation, Hiway is providing unique product offerings. In recent times, Hiway has invested in innovative techniques to improve asset longevity and performance. Its innovative products, marketed under the Master™ series, are shifting the dial on how asset management is viewed. These core solutions and innovative products provide more tools in the toolbox to enable value-focused outcomes in a funding-restrained market.
Hiways’ MasterScrim™ road surface re-texturisation unit was on display this year, which created a high level of interest. Road surface flushing is a nationwide problem that needs alternative solutions to resolve. Re-texturisation is the new tool in the toolbox to add back macrotexture without removing the waterproofing of the in-situ bitumen.
The Future Roads conference continues to go from strength to strength. It is a great opportunity to network among asset owners, and suppliers of goods and services to the roading industry. It offers a diverse range of industry areas that ensures that there is always something for everyone.