Highways Agency

3. Operations Phase

3.1 Introduction

The operations phase will begin when TiS has completed its preparations. This includes the building of the new TCC building, installation of additional measurement equipment and VMS, and development of the computer system.

It is recognised that this will be a process of continuous improvement in the light of practical operational experience, and procedures will be put in place to ensure that operational processes and procedures for both TiS and LHA are maintained to accurately reflect required changes. This will be underpinned by a process of annual review of the DLOA with each LHA, and intermediate review as and when considered necessary by agreement between both parties. The NGF will also undergo an annual process of review with input from LHAs.

Wherever possible, opportunities will be taken to improve TiS and LHA resource utilisation for the continuous improvement of services to the travelling public.

One of the aims of the TCC Project is to improve the service through a process of continuous review, reflected in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3 - Elements of the Operations Phase

3.2 Service Provision

3.2.1 TiS Services to LHAs

TiS can provide assistance to an LHA where requested and within the scope of the provisions of the TCC Agreement with the Agency. The scope and extent of assistance provided by TiS to each LHA will be described in the appropriate DLOA.

3.2.1.1 Primary Services

TiS will make the following services available to an LHA:

• Information for LHAs: TiS will make available to an LHA (with regard to the traffic situation on the Core Network) for its operational use, near real-time information from the TiS database of current events on the Core Network and any strategic responses that are in operation or are planned. This will comprise information about traffic conditions and planned events on the Core Network of practical value in the management of the LHA network. For planned and unplanned events, this will include the following details:
  • event type
  • date and expected/actual start time of the event
  • location
  • direction(s) of travel affected
  • expected duration of the event and/or predicted delays to journey time
    
    Other information relating to current and planned events on the wider Core Network will be made available by TiS on the internet.
    
• Information on Planned Events (including roadworks): Relevant details of the TiS database of planned events on the Core Network (e.g. roadworks) will be made available for an LHA to assist with its own local network planning activities.
• Diversions onto the Core Network: where capacity is available, and subject to the primacy of Core Network management, TiS will provide a positive response to requests from an LHA to use the Core Network for the diversion of local traffic around events that may occur on non-Core Network roads.
• Display of LHA Network Information on TiS Variable Message Signs (VMS): TiS may set pre-agreed messages on VMS on the Core Network at the request of an LHA, subject to the VMS continuing to be available for travel information messages relating to the LHA road network. Any such activity must be in accordance with relevant Agency protocols and procedures for VMS message content and use.
• Use of TiS Dissemination Media: TiS will respond to requests from LHAs to use TiS information dissemination media (including VMS) to provide information about events that are not located on the Core Network, subject to the relevant media being available for this purpose and not otherwise in use for a higher priority. Any such activity will be in accordance with relevant Agency protocols.

3.2.1.2 Additional Services

Areas in which TiS may additionally provide assistance, if required, include:

• Data for LHA Planning: TiS could make historical data freely available from its databases to an LHA for operational and planning purposes. The scope and extent of this activity will form part of the DLOA discussions with an individual LHA.
• Contact Information: TiS will hold a database of operational contact information, key elements of which will be available for valid operational use, free of charge to an LHA, subject to issues of privacy and commercial confidentiality.

3.2.2 LHA Services to TiS

So far as is practical, LHAs are recommended to put in place services to provide TiS with the following:

• Unplanned Event Information: LHAs are encouraged to provide timely advice to TiS about the existence and progress of incidents on the LHA road network that are affecting, or are likely to affect, the Core Network (e.g. changes in the estimated duration of any lane or carriageway closures).
• Planned Event Information: DLOA negotiations will explore, where appropriate, the provision of information on planned events and any strategic or local traffic management responses that are in operation or are planned on the LHA network that are of practical value in the management of the Core Network.
• NRSWA: LHAs are encouraged to include an attribute in their National Streetworks Gazetteer for notification to TiS of all streets where statutory undertakers and utilities streetworks can be anticipated to cause congestion on the Core Network. For the same streets, LHAs are encouraged to make available to TiS information about any activity planned by the LHA which may impact on the Core Network.
• Recognition of TiS Functions: LHAs are encouraged to take appropriate account of the operational requirements of TiS in the planning and execution of incident management and other operations with the potential to impact on the operation of the Core Network.

3.3 Day-to-Day Operations

Once operational, the TiS operators will work in accordance with the DLOAs and to the guidelines laid down in this NGF. These will all be agreed on an individual basis with each LHA before implementation. On a day-to-day basis they will be monitoring traffic on the network, liaising with LHAs and other parties and setting strategic responses where needed.

It is considered essential to develop a constructive relationship at the operational level, to understand the key elements for successful operation as well as finding effective solutions to any challenges that arise.

3.4 Evaluation and Review

3.4.1 NGF Review

All parties acknowledge that the policies of LHAs and of the Agency, and the needs of TiS, will change over time. This NGF will be the subject of review as the need is identified by any of the parties, to incorporate any necessary changes. Changes affecting the NGF will be reflected in associated changes to the DLOAs.

3.4.2 DLOA Review

The DLOA will be an arrangement with an individual LHA, and the Agency's role in the process will be one of observer to ensure that the conditions of the TCC Agreement with the Agency are met and that there is no conflict with Agency policy.

TiS and individual LHAs will review operational methods, practices and procedures in order to identify and/or share best practice, and to address any points of concern. TiS will use all reasonable endeavours to mitigate unresolved issues. DLOAs will be amended to reflect any resultant changes. These reviews will take place annually but may be supplemented by additional reviews if required by circumstances.

As part of the review process, TiS will provide to an LHA a statistical report outlining the previous year's operational activities between the LHA and TiS (e.g. number of incidents on the Core Network in LHA area, number of occasions when strategies were implemented). TiS will define the content and format of this report.

3.4.3 Resolution of Issues

In the event of any outstanding issues between TiS and a LHA that cannot be resolved by those parties, the Agency's TCC Contract Manager will endeavour to facilitate a solution.