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Better information for your journey
The National Traffic Control Centre collects real-time information on road conditions
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John Stapleton looks into why people Lane Hog and what effects it has on the driver hogging the lane and other road users.
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Find out about the history of roads and the work the Agency does to preserve archaeological remains.
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The Role of the Highways Agency in Local Air Quality Management, 2003
Annex 3 - Traffic Management Measures
The following table contains a number of traffic management actions that may be considered, in some situations, as a means of reducing traffic emissions. The actions have been classified into five main groups: speed controls, access control, provision of information, segregation of traffic and junction design. However, there can be considerable overlap between these groups (e.g. priority given to certain vehicles at a junction could be classed under segregation of traffic and junction design, and might include elements of information provision through improved signing).
With each action, a short description is given of its possible effects, but these will vary significantly depending on the precise local circumstances, and they should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Combinations of actions may well be more effective than any one in isolation. These actions do not include measures to reduce traffic demand which should form part of an action plan.
| Primary control area | Action and possible impact on traffic |
|---|---|
| Speed | Enforcement of existing limits: Reduces the proportion of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. Only a few vehicles likely to be affected directly |
| Permanent speed limit reduction: Reduces the average traffic speed if enforced but could increase road capacity. | |
| Vehicle class specific speed limits: May produce small improvements if coupled with class segregation by lane. | |
| Improved signing: May improve compliance with limit | |
| Controlled motorways (variable speed limit depending on traffic flow with lower speed limits during busy periods ): Can reduce congestion by delaying the onset of flow breakdown and encourages a smoother driving style but may increase road capacity. | |
| Traffic calming (rumble strips, colour bands, road surface changes etc.): May encourage compliance with limit and could affect route choice but may not produce a decrease in emissions. | |
| Access control | Ramp metering (restricting access from the slip road onto the motorway): Can improve flow on the primary road ie reduce congestion, but there is the potential for queuing at the metering point. |
| Zone restriction e.g. clear zone, low-emission zone, home zone, no stopping / parking zones etc: Can improve conditions in the restricted zone but traffic may be diverted. | |
| Width restrictions: Reduction in road capacity or restriction on large vehicles, drivers may slow to negotiate restriction or may divert to an alternative route. | |
| Park and ride encouragement: Affects modal split, mainly in town centres but needs to reduce traffic flows to be effective. | |
| Information provision | VMS messages: Information on available parking spaces or road closures can affect traffic flow, usually for the better. On motorways they can benefit traffic flow if providing diversion information. May be possible to display other messages relating to air quality. |
| Driver training improvements: Can encourage low-emission vehicle operation. | |
| Route/diversion information: Good impact, can relieve potential queues | |
| Alternative route provision: Good impact, can relieve potential queues | |
| Radio/Internet/TV traffic announcements e.g. RDS-EON etc : Need to be accurate and up-to-date. | |
| Advanced warning of road repairs and closures, bad weather, major events etc : Allows motorists to plan alternatives. | |
| Improved public transport information - e.g. timetable information and route provision via VMS or at displays at service stations : Can encourage the use of public transport for whole or parts of journeys. | |
| Use of motorway service areas as an interchange for park and ride: Use of existing facilities. Could help alleviate strain on certain parts of the network. | |
| Segregation of traffic | Dedicated lanes - bus, HOV, cycle, taxi, single occupant etc : Improved flow for prioritised vehicles but perhaps negative impact on other traffic. |
| Tidal lanes (varying number of lanes depending on time of day) : Make efficient use of road space. | |
| Climbing lanes: Help keep most traffic moving at acceptable speeds. | |
| Signal priority : See dedicated lanes. | |
| HGV or LDV dedicated routes: Can benefit dedicated vehicle type and other traffic. | |
| Lane closures : Could discourage local traffic from using certain stretches of trunk roads. | |
| Junction design | Improved signing: Prevents hesitation at junction, helping to maximise throughput, reduces congestion. |
| Access closure - closure of side road: Improves flow on the principal road. | |
| Choice of appropriate junction, e.g. cross road with or without lights, roundabout with or without lights, at-grade or grade separated, dedicated slip lanes, etc: Established procedures exist for junction design. The most appropriate type is selected on the basis of the ratio of the major to minor arm flow. Clear lane markings, optimised traffic lights may be added. |
Many of these actions could be taken in a responsive way and could be optimised differently under different flow conditions, at different times of day, at times of high pollution, etc.
