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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.
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Service Providers and Airwave - Update
January 2008
Multi-agency communications at incidents has been a recurring theme at cold debriefs across the country. This is usually due to the fact that communication has not been conducted as efficiently as it could have been. In order to improve this, a project has begun to deliver Airwave radios to Incident Support Units (ISUs). The Bulletin last featured the progress of this project in an article in March 2007, however since then a project milestone has been reached with the operating model being agreed. The business case is now under development and there is a plan in place for a pilot implementation.
The Operating Model
Various operating models were developed and evaluated before three options were put before the Traffic Operations Performance Group, Highways Agency. The chosen option involves the Service Provider (Maintaining Agent Contractor) commanding and controlling the ISUs until dispatched to an incident where the Regional Control Centre (RCC) communicates directly with the ISU. This is illustrated in the diagram below:
Airwave Operating Model
Following a request from the RCC the Network Control Centre (NCC) will determine the most appropriate ISU to deploy to an incident and carry out the initial dispatch of the ISU. After this has occurred this model enables direct voice to voice communication between the ISU and the Traffic Officers and enables the RCC to control all the Highways Agency’s incident management resources that are attending the scene. There is even the potential for either the NCC or RCC to view the location of all ISU resources using Airwave GPS (Global Positioning System) facility.
This option requires the NCC and the ISUs to have access to two Airwave radios so that they can simultaneously monitor both the shared and Service Provider Talkgroups at the same time.
Perceived benefits and problems
There are numerous benefits which include:
- Much improved (common) communication system with potential to ultimately replace systems used by Service Providers
- Direct communication between ISU and Traffic Officer Service (TOS) operatives during an incident and / or traffic management tasks, e.g. Rolling Road Blocks
- ISU will have the capability to inform the RCC directly when they come across an incident
- Full NCC awareness of ongoing incident
- Service Providers retain command of their resources
- Greater transparency of each other’s activities
The problem areas to overcome include:
- Service Providers lose control of their resources once dispatched and assigned to the shared Talkgroup
- NCC potentially unaware of communications between ISUs and TOS/RCC unless monitoring shared Talkgroup
- Possible security/sensitive information issues regarding ISUs hearing Highways Agency Airwave traffic
- Potential increase in Airwave traffic on shared Talkgroup which has a cost implication
- Potential for confusion when two Talkgroups are in use at the same time
- Two handsets required in ISU vehicle to monitor both Talkgroups
Implementation
Assuming that the business case is supportive of progressing the project the first phase of delivery is to be in the South West region involving Service Provider’s in Areas 1 and 2. There will be work required to develop a Talkgroup structure, call signs and training. This work is being pursued as a priority with the delivery of Airwave into Areas 1 and 2 planned for July 2008.
Further roll out is currently limited. This is due both to the availability of technology to provide the required additional Talkgroups and the wish to learn lessons from the first phase. In addition to this, any changes of Service Provider contracts will have an impact on its roll out, this is simply due to there being little benefit in deploying Airwave into an area where the contract has less than six months to operate. Procurement are aware of this project and the requirements to support Airwave will feature in future Service Provider contracts.
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.
