An updated installation toolkit has been published to help local authorities and road safety practitioners introduce PRIME road markings, following the completion of the second phase of the motorcycle safety project.
Project PRIME – Perceptual Rider Information for Maximisation of Enjoyment and Expertise – was developed by Transport Scotland, working with BEAR Scotland and with funding from The Road Safety Trust.
The innovative road markings are designed to encourage motorcyclists to make safer decisions when approaching bends. The markings comprise three pairs of truncated chevrons which act as ‘gateways’, encouraging riders to travel through the gap and adjust their speed, road position and braking.
The original installation toolkit was published following phase one. The latest version, published by Transport Scotland in July 2026, incorporates findings from phase two, which ran from 2023 to 2025.
Phase two extended the trials to 35 sites on Scotland’s trunk road network, with researchers recording 47,770 motorcycle movements. Significant reductions in speed were recorded at 23 sites, while positive changes in rider positioning were recorded at 29 sites at the final PRIME gateway and 27 sites at the apex of the bend. Reductions in braking were also recorded at 18 sites.
The research also provided evidence of longer-term changes in rider behaviour, including ‘carry over’ effects beyond the immediate PRIME treatment site.
The updated toolkit brings together learning from both phases and is designed to help road authorities assess whether PRIME could be suitable for their own networks.
It provides guidance on site selection, design, installation and evaluation, including the use of collision and near-miss data and input from experienced motorcyclists.
The markings have already attracted interest outside Scotland, with installations in Wales and a proposed trial by National Highways in England. Six Scottish local authorities are also considering introducing PRIME.
Comment on this story