Staff working on major roads, including motorways, are set to be given 'personnel-tracking technology'  Credit: PA

Highways England is formulating a plan to roll out wearable technology “to monitor the location and wellbeing” of its workforce.

The government-owned company has kicked off a project to find “suitable personnel-tracking technology”. The aim is to find kit that staff working on England’s network of motorways and major A roads can wear to allow their employer to track their whereabouts and safety.

“Such equipment should be discreet, robust, and lightweight, such that it can be worn by personnel throughout the working day,” Highways England said.

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To help identify such technology, the organisation has awarded a £36,000 contract to Fujitsu. The Japanese tech giant has been tasked with creating a report into the options available to Highways England. 

Fujitsu began work on compiling the report last month, and has until 30 October to deliver the finished article. During the process, the firm is expected conduct “a workshop… to liaise with industry, Highways England, and other stakeholders”.