Road safety is fundamental to protecting human life and ensuring the physical integrity of all road users, forming the core principle of the Vision Zero approach, which aims to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on the road network. It also supports safer and more efficient traffic flow by integrating infrastructure, enforcement, and user behavior within a systemic framework aligned with long-term sustainable mobility goals. 

Key Facts About Road Safety: 

• Reducing Incidents: According to WHO, approximately 3,300 people die every day as a result of road traffic crashes, resulting in nearly 1.19 million preventable deaths and about 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries each year; In Europe, preliminary figures from the European Commission for 2025 report around 19,400 deaths, marking a 3% decrease compared to 2024. 

• Economic Losses: In addition to the loss of human lives, road crashes cost the global economy around $518 billion annually. 

Governments have unanimously declared the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 through the UN General Assembly, with the ambitious target of preventing at least 50% of road traffic deaths and injuries by 2030.  

Technological solutions and innovations in road management are playing a crucial role in mitigating these risks and promoting a safer road environment. In the fast-paced world of modern transportation, ensuring the safety and efficiency of highways is paramount. 

One of the critical challenges faced by road maintenance authorities is the quick and safe removal of objects that block lanes, causing potential hazards and traffic disruptions. 

The Brisa Group network, covering approximately 1,525 km in Portugal, promotes around 7,158 object or animal removal procedures annually. Each operation takes an average of 11 minutes, which equals 54 days of continuous exposure to danger. 

We present an innovative road safety solution: the Road Crab. This pilot solution aims to significantly reduce the time spent on these procedures while enhancing the safety of people and vehicles on the highways. 

The Road Crab is a compact, innovative device designed to enhance safety and efficiency in road clearance operations. It attaches to the front of a road patrol vehicle and operates autonomously, enabling operators to safely detect, approach, and collect objects without leaving the vehicle. 

Common Objects to Be Removed 

• Tires debris 

• Wood debris 

• Cardboard boxes 

• Plastic items 

• Animals 

• Miscellaneous objects 

Advantages of Road Crab 

• Maximized Operator Safety: No need for operators to exit the vehicle, eliminating exposure to fast-moving traffic and hazardous conditions. 

• Enhanced Efficiency: Faster and more effective object removal, minimizing traffic disruptions and improving operational workflow. 

• Safe Collection: The device collects objects safely without dragging them across the road and remains hidden retracted when not in use. 

Award 

The Road Crab, a prototype designed for safer object removal from highways, was developed in Portugal by Brisa Autoestradas. It was awarded in the first Innovation Challenge by ASECAP (Association of European Highway Concessionaires with Toll Roads). 

Equipped with remote-controlled pincers and a camera, the Road Crab helps operators detect and approach objects for safe removal without needing to exit the vehicle. This makes the operation faster and ensures that objects aren’t dragged along the road. 

This solution ensures greater safety for Brisa workers by reducing their exposure to risk, while also improving response time and increasing efficiency in object removal operations.