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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
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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
What does 2008 hold for the TIM Team?
April 2008
Background
The Traffic Incident Management (TIM) programme is at the forefront of delivering a variety of innovative project and network management initiatives to reduce incident-related congestion and improve reliability of the Highways Agency’s network.
During 2007-8 many of the TIM team’s projects were reported with regular updates in the Bulletin, this included the following:
- Tactical Diversion Routes
- Collision Investigation Equipment
- Service Providers and Airwave
- Driver Location Signs
This year brings a selection of exciting projects and further work to be completed on several existing projects. This article gives an insight into what the TIM Team will be involved in during the upcoming year.
The Projects…..
TIM Partnership Group
How can the Police and the Highways Agency work together more effectively? Further development work is to be undertaken to generate the TIM Partnership Group as a key liaison point between incident responders. This year it will look to build and improve the relationship between the Highways Agency and the Police.
Highways Agency Roles in Incident Management (HARIM)
The HARIM project will continue to define the Highways Agency’s roles in incident management through the Standard Incident Management Guidance (SIMG) and Standard Incident Management Framework (SIMF).
Tactical Diversion Routes
‘Keeping traffic moving’ is a key theme across the Highways Agency. This project looks to identify, agree and implement Tactical Diversion Routes that can be used in emergency situations when the network becomes heavily congested.
Tactical Diversion Routes will remain to be a significant project as it approaches its third year. It is anticipated that the majority of routes will be completed by April 2009.
An update is featured in this month’s bulletin, please follow the link for an in-depth look at how many Tactical Diversion Routes were implemented in 2007-8.
Airwave to Service Providers 
Airwave to Service Providers is a topical theme in cold debriefs. This project will continue to assess ‘best practice’ in implementing direct voice communications between the Highways Agency’s Service Providers and Traffic Officer Service.
A trial is currently being prepared in the South West to establish a greater understanding of how it can work through lessons learning and obtaining best/good practice.
Driver Location Signs
Driver Location Signs made considerable progress last year. The TIM team will continue to build on this through assisting in the installation of an additional 1500 Driver Location signs on heavily congested areas of the network.
Incident Screens
Following recently commissioned research, incident screens return to the TIM team's agenda. This year it plans to complete the incident screens development, through producing and disseminating a specification for free standing incident screens.
Enhanced Incident Support Units
The Enhanced Incident Support Units Service is now up and running. The TIM team will continue to monitor their immediate dispatch and review the impact it is having on reducing incident clearance times.
Variable Message Signs (VMS) Communications
In conjunction with the National Traffic Control Centre, the TIM team plan to investigate the trial use of VMS to communicate with trapped traffic.
The below photograph shows its recent use in the West Midlands. The Bulletin will be featuring this usage in its next issue.
Communicating to trapped traffic using VMS
Efficient Junction Barrier Closure
Can physical barriers be used at junctions as road closures? The TIM team plan to investigate whether this is a feasible option and ways to take the project forward.
Multi Agency Exercises
Working with other areas of the Highways Agency, the TIM team will continue to plan and sponsor both, desktop and live exercises involving all incident responders. This will assist in identifying the best ways incidents are managed.
Additionally, the exercises will be used to assist training programmes for both Highways Agency staff and Service Providers to improve and standardise our incident management skills
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Incident Support Unit Training
The TIM team are currently working towards developing an accredited training standard for Incident Support Units to assist the Highways Agency in delivering a consistent level of service.
Mobile Data Terminals
In order to reduce the usage of Airwave, the TIM team are currently exploring the use of a mobile data terminal to exchange routine information between the Regional Control Centre and on-road resources. To test this equipment a trial will be conducted during the year.
The Future
The above is an overview to the key projects the TIM team are responsible for over the next year. In addition to these, the team is likely to be involved in others being undertaken across the Highways Agency – the Bulletin will keep you updated as always.
Are you involved in any similar initiatives within your organisation? Inform the Bulletin and we will take your good practice/innovative idea and disseminate, publicising both you and your business. Please e-mail TIMbulletin@highways.gsi.gov.uk.
