Disabled Driver Questionnaire
We want to produce a driver information programme for our disabled customers. To help us produce the best possible guidance, please take a few minutes to fill in our questionnaire.
Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions
Lane Hog!
John Stapleton looks into why people Lane Hog and what effects it has on the driver hogging the lane and other road users.
Educating tomorrow's drivers
See how we are driving through key messages about safety on our network for the drivers of tomorrow.
Meet the Ancestors
Find out about the history of roads and the work the Agency does to preserve archaeological remains.
See when traffic will be lightest
Our traffic forecaster can help get you there quicker
Active Traffic Management
What is Active Traffic Management?
On 12 September 2006, motorists on the M42 in the West Midlands were the first in the country to be able to drive on the hard shoulder during busy periods as part of a scheme aimed at cutting congestion.
The scheme, called Active Traffic Management, is between junctions 3A and 7 and directs drivers to use the hard shoulder during times of peak congestion using electronic signs above each lane. Together with variable speed limits, which help smooth the flow of traffic, the scheme has had great success in reducing congestion on the M42.
Safety was of critical importance during the design of the scheme and emergency refuge areas are provided at regular intervals to provide motorists with a safe place to stop away from the traffic in the event of problems with their vehicle. These refuge areas are linked by telephone and CCTV cameras to the nearby regional control centre.
The Highways Agency also worked closely with the emergency services to help them access the motorway in the event of an incident. Highways Agency control room staff have access to over 200 cameras on the 11 mile stretch, allowing them to easily spot any incident as it occurs. They can then close any individual lane or lanes by putting a red ‘X’ on the electronic signs above the lane(s) affected. This will then protect the vehicles involved in the incident as well as clearing the lane to allow emergency vehicle access.
Compared with road widening, Active Traffic Management is significantly more cost effective but provides comparable benefits including increased capacity, reduced journey times, increased journey time reliability, lower emissions and lower fuel consumption.
Please also let us know what you think of Active Traffic Management by filling in our feedback form.
Please take the time to read the following pages and find out more about how Active Traffic Management works and some of the benefits it provides. You can also take an interactive drive-through of the scheme.
This animation describes how Active Traffic Management works in practice.
