Initiative details
Road workers operating on high-speed motorways face some of the highest occupational risks in the transport sector. Maintenance activities, road work, inspections, vegetation management, incident management and temporary traffic management frequently require workers to perform tasks near road traffic, where excessive speed, driver distraction and unexpected maneuvers can have severe consequences.
The Vision Zero programme was initiated in 2023, following several serious accidents that highlighted the need to further strengthen the protection of workers and road users across Brisa’s motorway network. These events reinforced the importance of moving beyond traditional safety measures and adopting a more systematic Vision Zero approach to risk management.
As Portugal’s largest motorway operator, Brisa identified several key challenges: reducing worker exposure, improving work zone visibility, eliminating hazardous activities, increasing operational consistency and ensuring that safety remained the top priority in all maintenance and operational activities.
A particular challenge was that many routine activities required workers to spend significant periods of time in high-risk environments. Pedestrian road crossings, manual cone deployment, vegetation maintenance in central reservations and repeated interventions at the same location all increased exposure to risk.
To address these challenges, Brisa focused on eliminating or reducing exposure wherever possible, mechanizing high-risk activities, improving vehicle and worker signaling and visibility, fostering a strong safety culture supported by innovation, training and continuous improvement.
The Vision Zero programme was initiated in 2023, following several serious accidents that highlighted the need to further strengthen the protection of workers and road users across Brisa’s motorway network. These events reinforced the importance of moving beyond traditional safety measures and adopting a more systematic Vision Zero approach to risk management.
As Portugal’s largest motorway operator, Brisa identified several key challenges: reducing worker exposure, improving work zone visibility, eliminating hazardous activities, increasing operational consistency and ensuring that safety remained the top priority in all maintenance and operational activities.
A particular challenge was that many routine activities required workers to spend significant periods of time in high-risk environments. Pedestrian road crossings, manual cone deployment, vegetation maintenance in central reservations and repeated interventions at the same location all increased exposure to risk.
To address these challenges, Brisa focused on eliminating or reducing exposure wherever possible, mechanizing high-risk activities, improving vehicle and worker signaling and visibility, fostering a strong safety culture supported by innovation, training and continuous improvement.
Initiative date
to
Who was/is your target audience?
Company employees
Fleet operators
Car drivers
Car drivers – professional
Van drivers
Powered two wheeler riders (excluding micromobility)
Pedestrians
Topic
Create awareness
Education in school or in community organizations
Improve vehicles and infrastructure
Knowledge building and sharing
Provide alternative solutions
Training
Organisation details
Brisa Autoestradas
Enterprise
Portugal
São Domingos de Rana
Contact name
Teresa Nobre
Telephone number
+351963900668
teresa.nobre@brisa.pt
Project activities
If you work together with external partners, list the most important partners and briefly describe their role.
National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) – Strategic partner through the Vision Zero 2030 Commitment, supporting the implementation of additional road safety measures and alignment with national road safety objectives.
Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) – Supports the regulatory and technical framework governing motorway operations and infrastructure management, contributing to the development and implementation of safer work zone and road safety practices.
Transport and Mobility Authority (AMT) – As the independent regulator of the transport sector, AMT contributes to the promotion of safety, efficiency and continuous improvement across the mobility ecosystem, supporting the adoption of best practices and a user-focused approach to motorway operations.
APCAP (Portuguese Association of Toll Road Concessionaires and Bridges) – Supports knowledge sharing, benchmarking and collaboration on road safety initiatives and regulatory improvements across the motorway sector.
ASECAP (European Association of Toll Road Infrastructure Operators) – Provides access to European best practices, technical expertise and international collaboration on road worker protection, work zone safety and road safety management.
International Road Federation (IRF) – Facilitates the exchange of global best practices and promotes innovation and continuous improvement in road safety and infrastructure management.
Technology providers and equipment manufacturers – Collaborated in the development, testing and deployment of innovative solutions, including Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs), X-Cone vehicles, Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers and advanced vehicle visibility systems.
Universities, research institutions and start-ups – Partnered with Brisa to test proof-of-concept technologies aimed at reducing worker exposure, improving incident detection and supporting safer motorway operations.
Contractors and maintenance service providers – Implemented the operational procedures, temporary traffic management measures and worker protection practices required across the motorway network.
This collaborative ecosystem enabled Brisa to combine operational experience, innovation, research and governance, accelerating the implementation of effective and scalable road worker protection measures.
Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT) – Supports the regulatory and technical framework governing motorway operations and infrastructure management, contributing to the development and implementation of safer work zone and road safety practices.
Transport and Mobility Authority (AMT) – As the independent regulator of the transport sector, AMT contributes to the promotion of safety, efficiency and continuous improvement across the mobility ecosystem, supporting the adoption of best practices and a user-focused approach to motorway operations.
APCAP (Portuguese Association of Toll Road Concessionaires and Bridges) – Supports knowledge sharing, benchmarking and collaboration on road safety initiatives and regulatory improvements across the motorway sector.
ASECAP (European Association of Toll Road Infrastructure Operators) – Provides access to European best practices, technical expertise and international collaboration on road worker protection, work zone safety and road safety management.
International Road Federation (IRF) – Facilitates the exchange of global best practices and promotes innovation and continuous improvement in road safety and infrastructure management.
Technology providers and equipment manufacturers – Collaborated in the development, testing and deployment of innovative solutions, including Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs), X-Cone vehicles, Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers and advanced vehicle visibility systems.
Universities, research institutions and start-ups – Partnered with Brisa to test proof-of-concept technologies aimed at reducing worker exposure, improving incident detection and supporting safer motorway operations.
Contractors and maintenance service providers – Implemented the operational procedures, temporary traffic management measures and worker protection practices required across the motorway network.
This collaborative ecosystem enabled Brisa to combine operational experience, innovation, research and governance, accelerating the implementation of effective and scalable road worker protection measures.
Please describe the project activities you carried/are carrying out and the time period over which these were implemented.
Brisa has progressively implemented a multi-phase Road Worker Protection Programme under its Vision Zero strategy, combining organisational, operational and technological measures to reduce worker exposure and improve safety across its motorway network.
The programme began with a comprehensive review of operational procedures, the streamlining of temporary traffic management practices and the elimination of hazardous activities wherever possible. A key achievement was the elimination of motorway carriageway crossings by workers through redesigned work methods and the implementation of protected work zones supported by Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs).
Brisa invested in innovative equipment and technologies to eliminate, reduce and manage risk, including Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs), X-Cone vehicles for automated cone deployment, Bush Pruners for central reservation maintenance and Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers to improve driver awareness and traffic management around work zones.
Vehicle visibility was enhanced through high-visibility reflective markings, LED light bars, microLED lighting systems and the introduction of arrow-cross signalling systems on Road Assistance vehicles. These systems complement the existing Variable Message Signs (VMS), providing clearer traffic management guidance and earlier warnings to approaching drivers.
Maintenance activities were optimised by grouping multiple tasks within the same protected work zone, reducing the number of interventions and overall exposure time. The programme was further supported by more than 15,000 hours of safety training delivered through classroom sessions, practical exercises and e-learning platforms.
In parallel, Brisa developed partnerships with academia, technology providers and start-ups to test innovative solutions that further reduce risk exposure and improve operational safety. The initiative continues to evolve through continuous monitoring, innovation and the adoption of international best practices in road worker protection.
The programme began with a comprehensive review of operational procedures, the streamlining of temporary traffic management practices and the elimination of hazardous activities wherever possible. A key achievement was the elimination of motorway carriageway crossings by workers through redesigned work methods and the implementation of protected work zones supported by Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs).
Brisa invested in innovative equipment and technologies to eliminate, reduce and manage risk, including Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs), X-Cone vehicles for automated cone deployment, Bush Pruners for central reservation maintenance and Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers to improve driver awareness and traffic management around work zones.
Vehicle visibility was enhanced through high-visibility reflective markings, LED light bars, microLED lighting systems and the introduction of arrow-cross signalling systems on Road Assistance vehicles. These systems complement the existing Variable Message Signs (VMS), providing clearer traffic management guidance and earlier warnings to approaching drivers.
Maintenance activities were optimised by grouping multiple tasks within the same protected work zone, reducing the number of interventions and overall exposure time. The programme was further supported by more than 15,000 hours of safety training delivered through classroom sessions, practical exercises and e-learning platforms.
In parallel, Brisa developed partnerships with academia, technology providers and start-ups to test innovative solutions that further reduce risk exposure and improve operational safety. The initiative continues to evolve through continuous monitoring, innovation and the adoption of international best practices in road worker protection.
In terms of implementation, what worked well and what challenges did you need to overcome?
The successful implementation of the programme was driven by strong leadership commitment, a clear Vision Zero strategy and the active involvement of operational teams. One of the key success factors was the combination of organisational changes, innovative technologies and practical operational improvements rather than relying on isolated safety measures. Continuous monitoring through the ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety Management System, together with regular feedback from work teams, allowed Brisa to progressively refine procedures and ensure consistent implementation across the motorway network.
The main challenges involved changing long-established operational practices, integrating new technologies into daily operations and ensuring that all teams adopted new ways of working. Introducing mechanised solutions required investment, training and close collaboration between operational, engineering and maintenance teams. An additional challenge was the testing, validation and approval of innovative equipment through pilot projects, including ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory requirements before large-scale deployment. Another challenge was balancing worker protection with the need to maintain traffic flow and service continuity on an active motorway network. These challenges were overcome through phased implementation, extensive training, strong employee engagement, continuous communication, close collaboration with technology providers and regulatory stakeholders, and a culture of continuous improvement supported by data-driven decision-making.
The main challenges involved changing long-established operational practices, integrating new technologies into daily operations and ensuring that all teams adopted new ways of working. Introducing mechanised solutions required investment, training and close collaboration between operational, engineering and maintenance teams. An additional challenge was the testing, validation and approval of innovative equipment through pilot projects, including ensuring compliance with technical and regulatory requirements before large-scale deployment. Another challenge was balancing worker protection with the need to maintain traffic flow and service continuity on an active motorway network. These challenges were overcome through phased implementation, extensive training, strong employee engagement, continuous communication, close collaboration with technology providers and regulatory stakeholders, and a culture of continuous improvement supported by data-driven decision-making.
Evaluation
Please summarise how you have evaluated the initiative’s impact (e.g. social media reach, survey, feedback forms, statistics).
The initiative is evaluated through Brisa's integrated ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, implemented in 2023, and the ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety Management System, implemented in 2024. Together, these internationally certified management systems provide a structured framework for managing occupational and road traffic risks, monitoring performance and driving continuous improvement across the organization.
Performance is continuously monitored through accident frequency and severity rates, near-miss reporting, worker exposure assessments, safety audits, inspections, behavioural observations, leadership engagement, training participation, operational compliance and corrective action follow-up. These indicators allow Brisa to measure the effectiveness of implemented measures and drive continuous improvement.
The initiative also incorporates employee perception surveys and internal communication metrics. Regular newsletters share lessons learned from incidents, safety performance indicators and good practices, while the digital Safety and Health platform and QR Code reporting system enable greater workforce participation and faster reporting of unsafe conditions.
During 2025, Brisa carried out 851 safety audits and inspections, completed 214 incident investigations with shared lessons learned, monitored 324 occupational exposure assessments and conducted eight emergency response exercises. Around 18,500 hours of safety training (+18% versus 2024) were delivered, reaching approximately 81% of employees, including 100% of road workers through practical training programmes.
This integrated evaluation approach provides quantitative and qualitative evidence that the initiative is strengthening safety culture, improving worker engagement and delivering measurable safety performance.
Performance is continuously monitored through accident frequency and severity rates, near-miss reporting, worker exposure assessments, safety audits, inspections, behavioural observations, leadership engagement, training participation, operational compliance and corrective action follow-up. These indicators allow Brisa to measure the effectiveness of implemented measures and drive continuous improvement.
The initiative also incorporates employee perception surveys and internal communication metrics. Regular newsletters share lessons learned from incidents, safety performance indicators and good practices, while the digital Safety and Health platform and QR Code reporting system enable greater workforce participation and faster reporting of unsafe conditions.
During 2025, Brisa carried out 851 safety audits and inspections, completed 214 incident investigations with shared lessons learned, monitored 324 occupational exposure assessments and conducted eight emergency response exercises. Around 18,500 hours of safety training (+18% versus 2024) were delivered, reaching approximately 81% of employees, including 100% of road workers through practical training programmes.
This integrated evaluation approach provides quantitative and qualitative evidence that the initiative is strengthening safety culture, improving worker engagement and delivering measurable safety performance.
What has been the effect of the activities?
The initiative has delivered measurable improvements in both occupational safety and road safety by strengthening Brisa's safety culture and embedding safety as a shared organizational value.
Since its implementation, Brisa has maintained zero occupational fatalities while achieving a 9% reduction in the lost-time injury frequency rate by the end of 2025. At the same time, near-miss reporting increased by 73%, demonstrating greater workforce engagement, improved risk awareness and a stronger reporting culture. Employee satisfaction regarding occupational safety measures also increased by 7%, reaching 91/100, confirming growing confidence in the effectiveness of the programme.
These cultural improvements have been complemented by engineering and operational measures that reduced worker exposure to live traffic. The deployment of 19 Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) accumulated approximately 17,500 operating hours, successfully protecting workers during 10 vehicle impacts without fatalities or serious injuries. Pilot use of Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers achieved an 80% reduction in signaling implementation time, while the introduction of X-Cone systems and improved work methodologies further reduced exposure to road traffic.
Supported by Brisa's certified ISO 39001 and ISO 45001 management systems, the initiative has strengthened leadership commitment, employee participation and continuous improvement. The programme demonstrates that combining behavioural change, operational excellence and technological innovation creates lasting improvements in worker protection while contributing to safer motorway operations.
Since its implementation, Brisa has maintained zero occupational fatalities while achieving a 9% reduction in the lost-time injury frequency rate by the end of 2025. At the same time, near-miss reporting increased by 73%, demonstrating greater workforce engagement, improved risk awareness and a stronger reporting culture. Employee satisfaction regarding occupational safety measures also increased by 7%, reaching 91/100, confirming growing confidence in the effectiveness of the programme.
These cultural improvements have been complemented by engineering and operational measures that reduced worker exposure to live traffic. The deployment of 19 Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) accumulated approximately 17,500 operating hours, successfully protecting workers during 10 vehicle impacts without fatalities or serious injuries. Pilot use of Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers achieved an 80% reduction in signaling implementation time, while the introduction of X-Cone systems and improved work methodologies further reduced exposure to road traffic.
Supported by Brisa's certified ISO 39001 and ISO 45001 management systems, the initiative has strengthened leadership commitment, employee participation and continuous improvement. The programme demonstrates that combining behavioural change, operational excellence and technological innovation creates lasting improvements in worker protection while contributing to safer motorway operations.
Please briefly explain why your initiative is a good example of improving road safety.
The initiative has delivered measurable improvements in both occupational safety and road safety by strengthening Brisa's safety culture and embedding safety as a shared organizational value.
Since its implementation, Brisa has maintained zero occupational fatalities while achieving a 9% reduction in the lost-time injury frequency rate by the end of 2025. At the same time, near-miss reporting increased by 73%, demonstrating greater workforce engagement, improved risk awareness and a stronger reporting culture. Employee satisfaction regarding occupational safety measures also increased by 7%, reaching 91/100, confirming growing confidence in the effectiveness of the programme.
These cultural improvements have been complemented by engineering and operational measures that reduced worker exposure to live traffic. The deployment of 19 Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) accumulated approximately 17,500 operating hours, successfully protecting workers during 10 vehicle impacts without fatalities or serious injuries. Pilot use of Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers achieved an 80% reduction in signaling implementation time, while the introduction of X-Cone systems and improved work methodologies further reduced exposure to road traffic.
Supported by Brisa's certified ISO 39001 and ISO 45001 management systems, the initiative has strengthened leadership commitment, employee participation and continuous improvement. The programme demonstrates that combining behavioural change, operational excellence and technological innovation creates lasting improvements in worker protection while contributing to safer motorway operations.
Since its implementation, Brisa has maintained zero occupational fatalities while achieving a 9% reduction in the lost-time injury frequency rate by the end of 2025. At the same time, near-miss reporting increased by 73%, demonstrating greater workforce engagement, improved risk awareness and a stronger reporting culture. Employee satisfaction regarding occupational safety measures also increased by 7%, reaching 91/100, confirming growing confidence in the effectiveness of the programme.
These cultural improvements have been complemented by engineering and operational measures that reduced worker exposure to live traffic. The deployment of 19 Truck Mounted Attenuators (TMAs) accumulated approximately 17,500 operating hours, successfully protecting workers during 10 vehicle impacts without fatalities or serious injuries. Pilot use of Variable Message Sign (VMS) trailers achieved an 80% reduction in signaling implementation time, while the introduction of X-Cone systems and improved work methodologies further reduced exposure to road traffic.
Supported by Brisa's certified ISO 39001 and ISO 45001 management systems, the initiative has strengthened leadership commitment, employee participation and continuous improvement. The programme demonstrates that combining behavioural change, operational excellence and technological innovation creates lasting improvements in worker protection while contributing to safer motorway operations.
How have you shared information about your project and its results?
Information about the programme and its results has been shared through internal communication, stakeholder engagement and participation in national and international road safety forums and conferences.
Within Brisa, the initiative has been disseminated through operational training, safety campaigns, internal communication channels and workshops, ensuring that new procedures, lessons learned and best practices are consistently adopted across the organisation.
Externally, Brisa has presented the programme through collaboration with key national stakeholders, including ANSR, IMT, IP and APCAP, as well as through ASECAP and the International Road Federation (IRF). The initiative has also been shared at technical conferences, working groups and benchmarking activities, promoting knowledge exchange and supporting the adoption of safer work zone practices by other infrastructure operators and road authorities.
Within Brisa, the initiative has been disseminated through operational training, safety campaigns, internal communication channels and workshops, ensuring that new procedures, lessons learned and best practices are consistently adopted across the organisation.
Externally, Brisa has presented the programme through collaboration with key national stakeholders, including ANSR, IMT, IP and APCAP, as well as through ASECAP and the International Road Federation (IRF). The initiative has also been shared at technical conferences, working groups and benchmarking activities, promoting knowledge exchange and supporting the adoption of safer work zone practices by other infrastructure operators and road authorities.