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Tactical Diversion Routes - Update
August 2007
Introduction
In January 2007 the TIM Bulletin contained an article on Tactical Diversion Routes. Off network diversion routes for use in emergency situations are under development across England but it remains a regular topic in post-incident cold debriefs. This article is a short update on progress.
What is the project trying to achieve?
The January article goes into more detail but in summary this TIM sponsored project is developing signed diversion routes for each junction on the Highways Agency’s network where feasible. This means that any incident resulting in a closure of the main carriageway has a pre-planned, checked and agreed junction to junction diversion route that will circumnavigate the closed section of carriageway. There are unfortunately some locations where suitable diversion routes are not possible.
Once identified, each diversion route requires the agreement of the local authority whose roads are affected. Having gained approval then a programme of works is required to install any necessary signage.
The signing is based on symbols permanently located on the local authority network with trigger signs to divert people off the HA network.
It’s planned that by 2009, 85% of the 1,928 diversion routes for the Highways Agency network will be signed on the local authority network. This will enable traffic to be rapidly diverted around incidents on fully signed and managed diversion routes. By doing this congestion will be minimised and so will the stresses on those unfortunate enough to be diverted away from their planned route.
Each of the diversion routes will not only be signed on site but will also have a route card, please see below as an example.
View an example Route Card (600 KB PDF)
The route cards will be available to the RCCs, Traffic Officers, Police and Service Providers to enable them to identify the agreed route during the incident. The cards are printed on double sided, laminated A4 paper and are designed to be user friendly even in the most difficult conditions. Following consultation with potential users including the Police and Traffic Officer Service the design is uncluttered, clear and concise with only relevant information displayed.
Progress to date
There has been a great deal of work done to date. The January article estimated that 25% of all routes were already in place. Unfortunately this has since been found to be overly optimistic. The figure has been revised such that prior to this project the agreed and signed routes amounted to 15% of the required total. This means there is even more work to be done if the target of 85% by 2008/09 is to be met.
Service Providers and Area Performance Teams throughout the country have been working hard and at the time of publication the TIM team estimate that approximately 25% of the network is now complete. Forward programmes of work have been developed to complete 50% of the network by March 2008. If this proves to be correct then the Agency will have 675 more signed diversion routes ready for use during an incident.
A monitoring system has been introduced such that any use of a new diversion route is reported by the Service Providers. This is being used to measure the benefits of their introduction. Since April 2007 there have been 46 uses of the new diversion routes across the Highways Agency network. This is approximately 20% above that which was originally forecast at the start of the project.
The future
There are still numerous routes to identify, assess and implement but there are other areas of work underway as well. Driver education is a significant area of focus with the TIM team working with the Driving Standards Agency to achieve better understanding of diversion routes and symbols. One specific area is the inclusion of diversion route symbols in the driving theory test.
A parallel project is the use of the Highways Agency Traffic Radio to provide diversion route information when it is implemented. This would allow drivers who are able to receive the broadcasts to be given information such as "You will be diverted off the M6 at Jct 22 and then you just follow the black triangle diversion route symbols". If this proves successful it will be extended to the wide media organisations and also the Highways Agency Information Line.
Finally the TIM team is also starting discussions with in-vehicle satellite navigation providers. There are examples where drivers have been diverted away from the motorway network and the navigation system has unfortunately returned them to the closed motorway. Through joint working it is hoped that this can be prevented thereby reducing congestion and the frustration of those drivers affected.
Has this article been worthwhile reading? Why not take a moment to send us your comments, thoughts or questions. Please e-mail TIMbulletin@highways.gsi.gov.uk.
