Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions.
The Project Control Framework
On 1st April 2008 we launched the Project Control Framework. The Framework sets out how we, together with the Department for Transport, manage and deliver major improvement projects.
Free Traffic Information Seminars
Helping your business get its customers, drivers and goods where they should be, on time and stress-free.
Capability Assessment Toolkit 3
Introducing new and challenging indicators in the area of corporate social responsibility.
Efficiency Gains from Collaborative Roads Procurement
Delivering efficiency and best value is central
Highways Agency Traffic Radio
April 2007
At the heart of network operation and incident management is the need to provide timely, accurate and credible information to the customer. The hard work done by those at the scene and in the related road and traffic management tasks loses benefit when incorrect information is provided to the public, for example out of date road closure information or a lack of details on a diversion route.
Whilst the majority of radio stations provide traffic information during the rush hour, these are in timed slots and so information is not available to the traveller on demand.
The Highways Agency has recently undertaken a series of trials to develop their own Traffic England radio service. During the last 12 months successful trials in Birmingham and Bristol have taken place using Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), FM and AM frequencies.
As a result of the trials, the Highways Agency have received ministerial approval to take forward the DAB service and roll it out across England. This is a logical step given the changing nature of Radio services in the UK and the oversubscription of FM frequencies. The development of an FM based service has been ruled out as a result of this. However, discussions with the Office of Communications (OFCOM), the communications regulator, are ongoing regarding the possibility of a national AM frequency service.
The Traffic England service will cover the whole of England and be broadcast in 5 regional ‘streams’: North East, North West, Midlands, South East and South West. These will be available through the one Traffic News Station, and the stream received will depend on receiver location. The 5 minute ‘news loop’ will be updated regionally every 10 - 15 minutes at peak (rush hour) times and every 20 – 30 minutes at other times.
Given the decision to go with a DAB service, the one disadvantage for travellers is the need for a DAB receiver. These are becoming more and more popular in new vehicles and are readily available at low cost for the house, however, replacing an analogue car radio with a DAB alternative can cost anything from just under £100, in addition to the requirement for and cost of a digital or dual (digital and FM) aerial.
The Traffic England part of the Traffic Radio service is due to go live across England at the end of June 2007. It is hoped that the station will eventually expand to incorporate information streams from neighbouring agencies: Traffic Wales, Transport Scotland, the Roads Service Northern Ireland and also from Transport for London although there is no programme in place for this at present.
Further information can be obtained from the following website: www.highways.gov.uk/radio
And also from the Project Manager, Damian Morris,
Telephone: 0121 335 8320
Email: damian.morris@highways.gsi.gov.uk
Highways Agency Information Line : 08457 50 40 30
