The Department for Transport (DfT) has been urged to expand the open data in its Street Manager system to help the streetworks industry change its approaches to carbon emission and infrastructure maintenance.
This has come at the end of the design phase of the Road to Net Zero project for streetworks, carried out by GeoPlace, the joint venture between Ordnance Survey and the Local Government Association, to assess data inconsistencies and technology hurdles.
It was commissioned by Transport for London (TfL), the Highway Authority and Utilities Committee (HAUC) and the University of Birmingham along with smart grid specialist EA Technology.
Recommendations from the project so far include expanding the open data in Street Manager – DfT’s guidance for planning and managing roadworks – to include details such as reinstatement size, type and site location, with the aim of producing more accurate emissions calculations.
There is also a call for the development of a common carbon calculator to provide a unified tool for the more consistent estimation of emissions across the sector.
GeoPlace said these measures are aimed at creating a more transparent and consistent approach to emissions tracking.
Further proposals
The project has also produced proposals for service based models focused on long term outcomes, approaches to eliminating waste based on the circular economy, shared economy models to improve the utilisation of assets, and renewable energy solutions for on-site power generation.
Project lead David Capon said: “Our findings reveal both challenges and opportunities. The discrepancies in net zero commitments across different entities highlight the need for a unified approach.
“With innovations like minimum dig techniques and trenchless technologies, we’re not just reducing emissions – we’re revolutionising how we maintain and develop our urban infrastructure.”
Laura Alexander-Webb, strategic planning and delivery manager at TfL, said: “By tackling emissions in street works and road works, we're not just improving our industry - we're contributing significantly to the UK's overall net zero ambitions.
