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Regulations for use of roadstuds on public roads in the UK changed with the publication of a European standard BSEN1463 and its adoption into a newly printed Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) 2002.

With the legal adoption of BSEN1463, reflecting roadstuds used on any public road must be tested and certified to particular classes and definitions. Acceptable definitions and classifications for use in the UK are then detailed in TSRGD which is a statutory instrument and has the force of law.

BSEN1463 has two parts: Part 1, Initial performance, is conducted within the laboratory and Part 2 is a 12 month road test.

As each part of the test concludes, manufacturers obtain various classifications and definitions which are documented within a BSI test report verifying status towards possible compliance of TSRGD 2002.

BSEN1463 and its adoption into TSRGD 2002 supersedes the old type approval of roadstuds by the DfT.

BSEN1463 may not mention the method of fixing but must be clearly identified by the manufacturer.

BSEN Classifications include performances as determined by Parts 1 and 2. These are codes as shown, with applicable numerical references which signify the level of performance obtained.

P: Permanent roadstud

T: Temporary roadstud

A: Non depressible type

B: Depressible type

H 0,1,2,3: Dimension of height above the road surface

HD 0,1,2: Dimension of exposed part after installation

PRP 0,1: Reflective performance as new

PRT 0,1,2,3: Reflective performance when new

NCR 0,1: Colour of reflective light

DCR 0,1: Daytime visibility of temporary roadstuds

S 0,1,2,3: Number of roadstuds at close of road test

R 0,1,2,3,4: Reflective performance on conclusion of road test

DV 0,1,2: Daytime visibility of temporary roadstuds at conclusion of road test

The TSRGD 2002 supersedes and revokes the Traffic Signs regulations and General Directions 1994 and any subsequent amendments with a revised and consolidated TSRGD 2002. Adopted subsequently by Scottish Ministers, and the National Assembly of Wales.

TSRGD 2002 therefore prescribes the designs and conditions of use for roadstuds in the UK and is a statutory instrument which has the force of law.

TSRGD 2002 has two key directions in respect of roadstuds. Direction 57 specifies the products classifications and level of performance that are required for use in the UK. Direction 58 allows the secretary of state type approval in circumstances of use through a specified period only, or to determine possible requirements of Direction 57.

The following coding is taken from TSRGD 2002 direction 57. A product must meet these performance requirements to be legally used in the UK.

P: Permanent roadstud

T: Temporary roadstud

A: Non depressible type

B: Depressible type

H 1,2,3: Dimension depressible of height above the road surface

H 1,2: Dimension non depressible of height above the road surface

HD 1: Dimension of exposed part after permanent installation

HDT 1: Dimension of exposed part after temporary installation

PRP1: Reflective performance as new (permanent)

PRT 1: Reflective performance as new (temporary)

NCR1: Colour of reflective light, any roadstud

DCR1: Daytime visibility of temporary roadstuds

S1: Number of roadstuds at close of road test

R 1,2,3: Reflective performance on conclusion of road test

DV1: Daytime visibility of temporary roadstuds at conclusion of road test

Produced by the Road Safety Markings Association in consultation with the Client organisations. RSMA publish “Stanspec” as a contractual guidance to material and European standards and include the notification of withdrawal of appropriate British Standards.

The document details the changes in contractual standards requiring performance driven specifications for roadmarkings and roadstuds. Stanspec is designed to aid the transition from old and the markedly different authority specifications.

Stanspec covers all aspects of reflecting roadstuds invaluable to a contractor. Details are under various headings commencing Scope, through Materials, workmanship, fixing, and setting out.

TD26/04 was published in August 2004 and is an official standard applicable to the inspection and maintenance of roadstuds on motorways and all purpose trunk roads. TD26/04 supersedes TD26/86.

The requirements of this standard relate to reflective permanent roadstuds of all types currently and subsequently used by the relevant authority.

This standard supports the maintenance of roadstuds which, apart from a tactile and audible property, have an important functionality of night time guidance using incorporated reflective elements. As a predominantly raised reflective system, roadstuds are considered extremely beneficial in adverse inclement and night time conditions when the reflective signal of a roadstud is perhaps the only effective guidance.

TD26/04 Chapter 3 sets out the inspection and maintenance requirements and details the frequency of inspections. The purpose of inspection is to identify determination of roadstuds and timing for maintenance intervention. Characteristics of the inspection include:

(a) Wear, corrosion, damage.

(b) Loose or missing roadstuds or part thereof.

(c) Damage to lenses.

(d) Sinkage.

(e) Detritus on lenses.

(f) Integrity generally of roadstuds - both embedded and surface installed.

As a result of inspections, TD26/04 details the period of maintenance necessary to ensure roadstuds are maintained to a consistent and satisfactory level.

TD26/04 is a UK Highways Agency Document. It is part of the Design Manual For Roads and Bridges. Further information can be obtained from the following Documents:

1. TSRGD 2002 Traffic Signs Regulations Reference on conformity classes.
2. BSEN1463 The European Standard and now the test method towards UK conformity.
3. Traffic Signs Manual (TSM) - some guidance on non reflective roadstuds.

TD26/04 is a standard recognised by the Scottish Executive, Welsh Assembly and the Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland.

Prior to the 2002 TSRGD, roadstuds were required to be type approved by the Secretary of State of the Department for Transport. The approved products were formally listed in the HA's Standard Advice Note, SA1/2001 which formed a part of the Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCHW).

SA/2001 listed various products and but some of those are no longer available on the market. However, currently available products which meet the performance requirements of the 2002 TSRGD are now listed in the REMA web site, www.rema.org.uk, but representing members certification only. The Highways Agency has a revised document reference SA1/05 being published in August 2005 at present only available from the stationary office.

Active studs fall outside the scope of the European standard requiring type approval under directions 57 and 58 of the TSRGD. This is clarified in a recent REMA bulletin 'Retoreflecting road studs and the law'.