Highways UK has recognised a glass roadside barrier concept developed by NSG Pilkington UK.

The barrier concept designed by NSG Pilkington UK features a special glass coating that’s able to break down gaseous nitric oxide emissions from road traffic, while its lamination also gives it sound-attenuating properties that help to reduce noise pollution.

The company, which hopes to arrange trials of the barrier, expects the combination of features to have a big impact on the health and wellbeing of communities that live near busy roads and motorways.

The concept won at Highways UK’s Civils and Materials Innovation Awards in the environment category.

The barrier has a self-cleaning functionality and hurricane-rated lamination

It can also be screen printed with a pattern visible to birds – preventing them from flying into the reflection they see in the barrier.

Rory Back, R&D incubator technical manager at the NSG Group, said: “This recognition of our concept ultimately represents the increasingly expansive role that innovative flat glass can play in our built environment.

“Billions are set to be injected into necessary UK infrastructure projects and much-needed housebuilding in the next few years – which is likely to put more of the population living within reach of busy roads.

“Our roadside barrier concept will help infrastructure planners and developers in meeting their obligations to the environment and the wellbeing of the communities they build by.”