It is less about providing an impact buffer and more to do with raising visibility of the hazard. The airbag is large, bright and very visible – and can inflated within 10 minutes. It is a warning sign, not a safety cushion.
Highways England’s Midlands innovation manager Lisa Maric said: “On average, our road workers report approximately 240 incidents of vehicle incursions each month. It is a far too frequent hazard for our workforce going about their daily job – and the consequences could be fatal.