Colas Enhances Night-Time Safety with INSTABOOM Remote Barrier System
For over 25 years, transport infrastructure specialist Colas has been the backbone of maintenance operations on the M275, one of Hampshire’s most vital arterial routes connecting Portsmouth to the M27. Six times a year, the road is closed overnight for essential maintenance, everything from resurfacing and lighting upgrades to cleaning and structural inspections. However, managing access during these closures has long presented challenges in safety, efficiency, and manpower.
Traditionally, access was controlled manually using temporary fencing and on-site staff, an arrangement that required operatives to stand outdoors for hours, often in cold, dark, and hazardous conditions. It was a process that not only slowed operations but also put workers at risk by keeping them in close proximity to live traffic.
Determined to modernise this approach, Colas turned to technology. The company discovered the INSTABOOM remote-operated barrier system at a local industry roadshow and immediately recognised its potential to revolutionise access management on live highways.
A Game-Changing Innovation for Safer, Smarter Closures
The INSTABOOM system, developed by Solar Gates UK, offers a remote-controlled barrier solution powered by solar hybrid technology. It enables operators to control access with the simple push of a button, removing the need for dedicated personnel to stand by gates throughout the night. This approach not only improves safety but also cuts labour costs and streamlines traffic management during complex night-time operations.
Tony White, Street Cleansing Supervisor at Colas, summed up the team’s reaction: “The lads love it. Someone comes along, they push a button, it opens, the contractor comes through, and they push it again to close. Couldn’t be simpler. It makes us look more professional, and contractors have been saying, ‘We wish we had one of those.’”
After successfully deploying INSTABOOM during two M275 night-time closures, and with a third already scheduled, Colas has seen first-hand how technology can make road operations safer and more efficient. The company has also introduced the optional INSTABOOM Light Kit, enhancing visibility and safety for operatives and contractors working in dark conditions.
Delivering Tangible Benefits
The success of the INSTABOOM system on the M275 has highlighted several key benefits for Colas and its partners:
- Improved safety: Removes staff from close proximity to live traffic, reducing the risk of accidents or injury.
- Reduced labour costs: Eliminates the need for dedicated gatekeepers during overnight works.
- Faster operations: Streamlines contractor entry and exit, keeping projects on schedule.
- Enhanced welfare: Minimises worker exposure to cold, wet, or hazardous environments.
These outcomes align perfectly with Colas’s broader safety and sustainability goals, which focus on protecting people while enhancing the efficiency of essential maintenance activities.
Endorsed by Industry Leaders
The adoption of INSTABOOM has also drawn positive attention from National Highways, which oversees major road networks across the UK. The M275 project demonstrates how modern access control can reduce risks and delays in live maintenance environments.
Neil Sampson, Managing Director at Solar Gates UK, commented on Colas’s forward-thinking approach: “It’s fantastic to see Colas embracing the practical benefits of remote barrier technology. INSTABOOM was designed to make site safety simpler, and this deployment proves exactly that.”
The partnership between Colas and Solar Gates showcases how collaboration between infrastructure specialists and technology providers can yield safer, smarter, and more sustainable solutions for the UK’s road network.
Inside the INSTABOOM System
The INSTABOOM is not just another barrier; it’s an integrated, smart system purpose-built for temporary traffic management. Its key features include:
- Solar Hybrid Power: Ensures up to two weeks of uninterrupted operation, even in challenging weather conditions.
- Long-Range Rugged Remote Fob: Offers up to 800 metres of range, allowing access to be managed safely from a distance.
- Telematics Integration: Enables real-time online monitoring of barrier status and battery levels.
- Light Kit Add-on: Improves night-time visibility and safety for operatives and passing traffic alike.
By combining these innovations, INSTABOOM brings automation and intelligence to road management, two elements long overdue in traditional traffic control practices.
A Step Forward for Smarter Maintenance
Colas’s successful use of the system on the M275 is a clear demonstration of how small changes in process and technology can yield big results. With thousands of miles of roads under regular maintenance across the UK, the potential for wider adoption of such systems is vast.
The M275 serves as a testbed for the future of smart infrastructure management, where digital tools, automation, and safety go hand in hand. By integrating remote-controlled access with data-driven insights, companies like Colas are leading the transition toward a more connected, efficient, and secure road network.
Leading the Way in Workforce Safety and Efficiency
For Colas, investing in technologies like INSTABOOM is about more than convenience; it’s about people. Keeping workers safe, improving their welfare, and maintaining operational continuity are central to the company’s mission.
Tony White reflected on the difference this system has made: “Six times a year, the M275 is closed so that a vast number of departments from National Highways and other bodies can carry out essential work. Anything that helps it run smoothly and safely is welcome. The INSTABOOM does the job we need it for. It’s great. And the barrier lights are a bright idea too!”
Such feedback underscores how embracing innovation not only enhances safety and productivity but also boosts morale, giving teams tools they can trust and take pride in.
A Model for Future Deployments
Following its proven success on the M275, Colas is now exploring wider deployment of the INSTABOOM system across its regional operations. The potential for nationwide implementation is significant, particularly as the UK accelerates digital transformation in transport infrastructure.
Remote-operated barriers, integrated telematics, and solar-powered systems represent the next generation of safety and efficiency tools for highways. As local authorities and contractors alike seek to meet sustainability goals while managing costs, solutions like INSTABOOM are poised to become standard practice.
Driving Progress with Innovation
Colas’s commitment to continuous improvement exemplifies the industry’s shift towards smarter, safer, and more sustainable maintenance solutions. The success story of INSTABOOM on the M275 is not just about a new gadget on the roadside, it’s about transforming the way critical infrastructure is maintained.
By combining innovation, practicality, and care for the workforce, Colas is setting a high bar for the future of traffic management and maintenance operations across the UK.
