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
What are the safety features?
Safety is at the top of our priority list. Active Traffic Management will deliver a number of systems, processes and procedures, which are likely to provide enhanced safety benefits to those using the M42.
The pilot of Active Traffic Management includes a number of features designed to enhance the safety of this stretch of motorway.
These include:
- The Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling (MIDAS) system which uses automatic signalling to provide early warnings to drivers of traffic conditions ahead and controls the speed of vehicles heading towards queuing traffic. In Active Traffic Management on the M42, the sensors used as part of this system to detect the volume and duration of traffic are much closer together than usual, ensuring the system responds quickly and provides drivers with early warnings.
- The operators in our control centre monitoring the whole stretch of motorway, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Emergency refuge areas providing additional distance away from the main carriageway for vehicles in an emergency or break down situation
- Full motorway lighting providing a safer driving environment at night and enabling the control centre to see the motorway easily using the CCTV
- Emergency roadside telephones behind safety barriers
The Active Traffic Management pilot has been developed in close consultation with the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG), and this partnership continues in the delivery of the pilot.
