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The Association for Road Traffic Safety and Management (ARTSM) plays a leading role in shaping the future of road safety across the UK and beyond. As the trade body representing manufacturers and service providers of road safety equipment (from traffic signals and signage to cones and PPE), ARTSM stands firmly at the intersection of innovation, safety and standards.
The safe management of our road network depends not only on good design and responsible driving but also on the reliability and performance of the equipment used every day. Although these products are often the final component installed on our roads, they are fundamental to keeping all users safe.
ARTSM embraces the Safer Systems approach by promoting better design, proper installation and effective use of equipment, ensuring that everyone, from pedestrians to vehicle operators, benefits from a well-managed, consistent and secure road environment.
For decades, ARTSM has contributed expertise to the development of national and international standards, ensuring that road safety equipment is interoperable and provides a seamless user experience. Whether it’s the colour of a road sign or the operation of a pedestrian crossing, ARTSM members work collaboratively to make sure consistency and clarity underpin every aspect of road safety infrastructure.
The association also supports product registration and standards development through TOPAS and continues to advise on standards with organisations such as BSI. This active involvement helps balance innovation with safety, avoiding a “wild west” approach to emerging technologies. By ensuring safety requirements evolve alongside new products, ARTSM prevents unintended consequences and protects road users from unseen risks.
Change in standards or technology requires education, and in the absence of government guidance, industry must often take the lead. ARTSM convenes experts through its technical working groups, where members share challenges, propose updates to standards and develop guidance to reflect best practice. When formal change takes time, ARTSM provides interim guidance to help practitioners interpret standards effectively.
ARTSM’s Guidance Notes are objective, collaboratively developed publications that benefit from broad peer review, including feedback from local authorities, government and industry professionals. The association’s consultative approach (seen, for example, in the development of its Guidance for Portable Signals), has earned recognition, including commendation from the Department for Transport’s Traffic & Technology division.
Innovation often brings new safety considerations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the introduction of non-contact push buttons at pedestrian crossings provided a timely example. ARTSM quickly contributed to the development of a TOPAS standard defining safety requirements for these devices, ensuring consistent functionality and user experience.
Later, when unintended safety issues emerged (such as Bluetooth buttons remaining active when signals were out of use), ARTSM responded with timely guidance on signal bagging and switching off equipment, raising awareness of maintenance risks and helping authorities prevent accidents.
ARTSM sees its “watchdog” function as essential to maintaining trust and professionalism across the industry. The Association’s constitution empowers it to ensure members are aware of mandatory standards and to support the resolution of non-adherence issues.
At times, this involves issuing formal guidance; at others, simple reminders via social media are enough, for example, clarifying that traffic signals are not permitted on zebra crossings. Every action, big or small, contributes to maintaining high standards and public confidence in road safety management.
All ARTSM Guidance Notes are publicly available and free to access via the Association’s website. They are designed for everyday use by local authorities, manufacturers and safety professionals, providing clear, concise resources suitable even for quick reference. Their accessible format enables users to refresh knowledge, revisit best practice and understand the context behind key safety requirements.
Through collaboration, engagement and technical expertise, ARTSM continues to raise the bar for safety, consistency and innovation in road traffic management. The association’s commitment to open communication and high standards ensures that the UK remains a leader in safe, intelligent transport systems.
For more information, visit artsm.org.uk
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