Cutting down congestion: The smart route to safer, faster roadworks

Every roadworks contractor knows the drill: tight deadlines, limited resources, and the pressure to minimise disruption while keeping workers and road users safe. But here’s the hard truth: every extra hour a road is closed means longer traffic jams, mounting costs, and a public that grows more frustrated by the minute.

Now imagine this: your jobs finish faster, your crews are safer, and the roads reopen sooner—making you the contractor everyone wants to hire.

FYLD customers, Kier Transportation and Ferrovial, have already shown how digital transformation can revolutionise roadworks. In just six weeks, Kier Transportation’s fieldworkers achieved an 8% productivity uplift through faster and safer workflows. At Ferrovial, supervisors used FYLD to focus on what mattered most, helping them complete a project three months ahead of schedule.

This isn’t a pipe dream; it’s what productivity enablement through digital technology can achieve. By working smarter—not harder—you can streamline operations, save money, and set yourself apart as a leader in the field.

The real cost of roadworks delays

When jobs run late, the impact is felt far beyond your operations:

• Drivers lose time—and patience: In England alone, congestion costs drivers a staggering 55 million days every year  —that’s the same driving to the moon and back 8 million times!

• Budgets get squeezed: The economic cost of road traffic delays hits £31.9 billion annually. For perspective, that’s enough to fund free school meals for every child in the UK for more than a decade.

• Your reputation takes a hit: Missed deadlines don’t just frustrate customers; they jeopardise your ability to win future contracts with major players like National Highways or local authorities.

Many delays are avoidable, particularly those caused by roadworks. With the right technology in place, you can cut out inefficiencies, keep your team operating like clockwork, and complete jobs ahead of schedule. 

The data gap

The lack of insightful data can cause delays and inefficiencies in planning and executing jobs. At FYLD, we’ve noted that the key challenges are; 

• Inaccurate site information: Without real-time data on site conditions, materials, and equipment, teams struggle with errors, delays, and inefficiencies.

• Poorly executed handovers: The absence of job and visual asset data leads to miscommunication and coordination issues, delaying handovers between teams.

• Slow decision-making: Without timely, actionable insights, teams are left making decisions based on incomplete information, which can lead to delays and extended job timelines.

The smarter path to faster jobs

Digital technology is revolutionising how jobs get done. Imagine having a tool at your fingertips that helps you: :

• Plan with precision: Equip teams with the right materials and equipment by giving them precise, up-to-date site information before the job begins.

• Stay ahead of job blockers: Receive real-time alerts on issues and resolve them remotely before they derail progress.

• Adapt in real-time: Make informed decisions instantly with actionable data at your fingertips.

The good news? This isn’t just an idea—it’s reality. FYLD’s AI-enabled platform is designed to eliminate delays, improve communication, and keep your team focused on what matters most: completing jobs safely and efficiently.  

Why speed matters

Speed isn’t just about meeting deadlines—it’s about transforming how work is done. Clear plans and seamless execution mean less stress for crews, fewer last-minute surprises, and safer working conditions. Faster project completion also leaves a lasting impression on stakeholders, showing clients and road users that you’re a contractor who delivers on promises. This builds trust, enhances your reputation, and opens the door to higher-profile, more lucrative contracts.

The benefits extend beyond the worksite. Every hour saved gets traffic moving again, easing frustration for drivers and improving safety for everyone on the network. By leveraging tools like FYLD, you’re not just completing jobs faster—you’re creating a more efficient, safer, and more sustainable way of working.

Lead the charge in smarter roadworks

The industry is evolving, with growing pressure to deliver projects that are faster, safer, and more sustainable. Contractors who embrace productivity-focused technology now won’t just keep up—they’ll lead the way. 

During a six-week trial with one of FYLD’s customers, Kier Transportation, fieldworkers saw an 8% productivity uplift through faster and safer workflows. At Ferrovial, supervisors utilised FYLD to spend less time on non-value-adding tasks, yet they had better visibility of jobs and could focus on what mattered most. This contributed to the project finishing 3 months ahead of schedule. 

Why settle for the status quo? It’s time to redefine what “fast and safe” looks like in roadworks. Let’s show the industry how it’s done.

Are you ready to take the next step? Let’s talk about how FYLD can transform your operations.