About the Scheme

The M1 and M62 are two of Britain's most important and busiest roads. As many as 140,000 vehicles used the motorways each day in 2005. That number is likely to grow by 2.6% a year - and if we do nothing congestion will get worse.

The M1 and M62 Motorway Improvements in Yorkshire package is designed to reduce congestion and improve safety and journey time reliability on both the M1 and M62.

There are nine schemes in the M1/M62 improvements package, which will result in having an increased capacity and able to carry more traffic on the M1 between Junctions 30 (Chesterfield) and 42 (Leeds), and the M62 between junctions 25 (Huddersfield) and 28 (Leeds).

These schemes are the response to Department for Transport recommendations in the South and West Yorkshire Multi Modal study (SWYMMS) for increased capacity on the M1 and M62.

We will introduce controlled motorway facilities along the scheme, with regular gantries across the motorway, with signs to change the speed limits and open and close lanes.

To ensure increased capacity due to motorway improvement is not lost due to the generation of additional traffic we will use various Integrated Demand Management methods (IDM), there are various options being considered such as dedicated lanes for vehicles with more than one occupant (Car share lanes); and traffic signals at junctions (Access Control) and on slip roads to regulate flow of traffic onto the motorway (Motorway Access Management).

Proposals are in the early stages for all schemes except M1 J31-32. M1 J31-32 started construction inJanuary 2007 and is due for completion in January 2008. This project was built sooner than the others because no additional land was required for construction. This scheme was planned before the M1/M62 Improvement package entered the Programme for Major Schemes (PMS).

About the Scheme

Programme

2003: South and West Yorkshire Multi Modal Study published.

March 2005: Minister announced that the M1 and M62 motorway improvement in Yorkshire would be included in the National Roads Programme and developed further.

June 2006: Public Information Exhibitions.

2008-2010: Orders and Environmental Statement Published where required.

2010-2018: Phased construction of widening schemes.

Note: These dates are dependent on statutory processes and funding being available

Programme

Traffic Model

What are traffic models?

We have built a complex model to simulate how traffic will flow along motorways and through the junctions. We will use different driver behaviour, different speeds and all types of weather to make this as realistic as possible. The model includes the whole route including 70 miles of South and West Yorkshire motorways and adjacent local road network and other national routes that impact on the M1 and M62.

When will it be ready?

We expect the model to be ready early 2007. In order to use it, we have to validate it to make sure that it is providing realistic traffic figures. This is done by modelling current traffic flows and checking that this is comparable with what is actually happening on the motorways.

How it will be used?

The model allows us to predict how possible actions and measures will effect congestion on the roads. We can then use this to study and predict what the impact of changes to the road layout and the way traffic is controlled will be. Using this method we can design layouts and control systems that get traffic to flow smoothly, minimise delay to drivers, reduce congestion and ultimately make journeys more reliable. We can predict what will happen if we change the speed limits on the motorway, use car-sharing lanes or control the amount of traffic joining or leaving a motorway junction. We can compare the benefits at each location.

Air quality

The model means we can give a much better estimate of air quality, particularly of congested traffic. It will also predict the effects on air quality of various measures so we can decide which are best and make sure we put mitigation and traffic control measures in the places where it will be most effective. We will be working with local authorities so that we have agreement with how the model is being developed and used to assess air quality.

Noise

The model will allow us to predict more accurately the effects of proposed schemes on noise levels at nearby properties.

We will be able to provide more accurate predictions of the effects of the scheme on air quality and noise using the traffic model output.

Traffic Model

Safety

The Layouts proposed for each improvement section will be subject to a full ‘Safety Case’. For us to construct this scheme, this safety case has to show that the new layout is at least as safe as the standard 3 lane motorway. The introduction of controlled motorway is seen to deliver safety benefits on top of this.

Safety

Respecting the Environment

Respecting the Environment

We are currently undertaking surveys into the effect of the scheme on the environment.

Our environmental surveys cover factors such as:

The results will be written into an Environmental Statement, which will be published in 2008-09.

Air Quality

We are working closely with the Local Authorities to produce an air quality action plan with the aim of mitigation and reduction of emissions. The aim is for future compliance of EU directives. This action plan will probably be a mixture of hard and soft measures (for example vehicle priority lanes and the encouragement of Green Travel plans), very similar to those used by the Local Authorities as part of their Air Quality Management Area strategies.

The existing method in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) models air quality using average vehicle speeds and average fleet make up. The high increases in traffic flow during peak periods at these routes, and the high levels of congestion causing vehicles to stop and start, mean that this method is not suitable here. The Highways Agency has devised a better method of assessing emissions from vehicles for this route. This will be used in association with detailed micro simulation traffic models prior to being run through an air quality dispersion model to gauge the affects of the project on the surrounding area.

In addition, we are carrying out air quality monitoring at various locations adjacent to the motorway and will also be using data from local authorities to enhance this.

Air Quality Management Areas

We are aware that parts of the M1 and the M62 are in Air Quality Management Areas. Local Authorities have declared these as part of their obligations under EU air quality directives to deal with poor air quality. The Highways Agency is working with the Local Authorities concerned with the objective to work in partnership to mitigate the effect of traffic on Air Quality and ultimately, improve it.

We are analysing local authority information on air quality near both motorways. We are also monitoring various sites near the motorways to provide additional air quality information. We will use a computer model to predict the flow, speed and type of traffic likely to use the motorways in the future. This information can then be used to calculate the effects of the motorway improvements.

Noise

We are aware of the concern that people living adjacent to the motorway network have about the affect of noise on their property.

By modelling the noise predicted in future years arising from the scheme proposals, we can identify areas which qualify for noise mitigation. We will use the traffic model to predict to predict the change in noise levels from the scheme.

We will then use set criteria to analyse which properties along the route are eligible for noise mitigation. This could include noise barriers, mounds and/or noise insulation for individual properties. The traffic model will be used to identify where noise mitigation is required. We can then build this into the detailed design for the scheme, which we will show in the public exhibitions when we publish the Environmental Statement in 2007/08.

At this stage, we are unable to provide information on where noise mitigation will be provided. We will have this information when we publish the Environmental Statement.

It is now Highways Agency policy to use noise reducing material on any new roads. On any sections where we are altering the road we will use low noise surfacing. This has been shown to have a detectable effect on noise levels.

Water quality

Where existing water courses are affected mitigation will include:

Ecology and biodiversity

Where contact with local flora and fauna occurs we will:

We are currently undertaking surveys to establish what the current situation is with regard to flora and fauna on the route.

Landscape and visual issues

We will minimise the impacts of the scheme, such as by the planting trees on slopes, next to retaining walls and in order to screen any gantries or lighting.

Respecting the Environment

Explanation of Integrated Demand Management (IDM)

Integrated Demand Management (IDM)

When a motorway is widened, there is always the possibility that traffic will simply increase to fill the extra space to congest roads again, as more people decide to use the motorway when it is less congested. Integrated Demand Management will allow us manage the amount of traffic using the motorway by controlling the amount joining and leaving.

We could use different things to control traffic movements and manage demand, for example:

We will use the traffic model to predict how these actions and measures will affect congestion on the roads. We can predict what will happen if we change the speed limits on the motorway, use car-sharing lanes or control the amount of traffic joining or leaving a motorway junction. We can then decide what is best to use on which junction and in which location.

Controlled Motorway

Driver information will be provided on overhead gantries so that the traffic flow can be managed and drivers informed about the traffic conditions ahead. Variable Speed Limits may be enforced to ease congestion, or to deal with problem areas such as for air quality. This is already in use on the M25 and M42.

Find out more about Active Traffic Management on the M42.

Staff in the Regional Control Centres will be able to impose speed limits or close lanes in an emergency or during heavy traffic flows. This will allow us to manage incidents better.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes

HOV lanes are already in use in other countries. A dedicated lane is provided for vehicles carrying more than one person. This provides an incentive for people to share vehicles, reducing congestion and providing environmental benefits. A HOV lane trial is under construction which will help to improve journeys for drivers using the M606 and M62 between Bradford and Leeds in West Yorkshire. When fully operational in 2008, the lane will improve journey times during peak periods.

Find out more about car sharing lanes.
Press Notice: M606/M62 Car Share Lane.

Motorway Access Management

We could use traffic lights to regulate the flow of traffic onto motorways at junctions.Motorway Access Management, has been trialled on various sites in the UK. The system detects spaces between vehicles on the motorway and allows vehicles waiting on the sliproad to move into the gaps. This allows the volumes of traffic to be managed on the motorway to prevent queuing. We see the most benefits either side of the main peak times. At peak times, when traffic queues up to the roundabout, the ramp metering will automatically turn off so as not to affect the local road network.

Explanation of Integrated Demand Management (IDM)

Publications

Leaflets

Publications

Contact Information and Map

For further information please write to:

Team L1
3rd Floor South
Lateral
8 City Walk
Leeds
LS11 9AT

Or email  M1M62Yorkshire@highways.gsi.gov.uk

Maps

M1 and M62 Motorway Improvements Map

M1 and M62 Motorway Improvements Map

Map Key
M1 and M62 Motorway Improvements Map Key
Contact Information and Map