Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

TCC Project Objectives

Transport 2010: Smarter Network Management - Motorways of the Future

"The next ten years will see increasing use of new technology by the Highways Agency to improve real-time management of traffic on the strategic road network."

"Within the next ten years "electronic motorways" will include extensive new roadside monitoring and communications equipment linked to variable message signs and ultimately to in-car computers, providing both traffic network authorities and drivers with up-to-date information about traffic levels, road conditions and incidents."

TCC Project Objectives

The Midlands Driver Information System

The Agency already has several years of practical experience in the development and delivery of traffic management services through the implementation and operation of the Midlands Driver Information System (MDIS).

MDIS provides an extensive network of monitoring systems, including cameras and in-road loop sensors to gain an accurate picture of conditions on the strategic road network between the M25 and the Midlands region. The system was developed by the Agency and is operated by the police. In the event of a major incident the system provides information and advice to drivers through a series of variable message signs located at key route decision points.

Studies carried out by the Agency show that roadworks, accidents, breakdowns and other incidents are responsible for approximately 35% of congestion on the Agency's network. During such disruptions, alternative strategic routes typically have sufficient capacity to accommodate some additional traffic, thus providing the opportunity to minimise the effects of these incidents on travel times. Studies have also shown that a significant proportion of drivers would change their time or mode of travel if they were able to receive advance warning of likely delays before they started their journeys. The TCC Project focuses on providing high quality up-to-the-minute information to travellers to allow them to make more informed travel choices and to reduce the effect of disruptions.

By providing the right information where and when it is needed, the TCC Project aims to:

• Improve journey time reliability
• Reduce disruption caused by major incidents
• Provide alternative route advice to minimise the effect of congestion and incidents
• Minimise delays due to roadworks
• Influence road users' decisions before they set out on a journey about route, time and means of travel