Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Managed Motorways is a new, technology driven approach to the use of our motorways.

With Managed Motorways we will be able to make your journeys more reliable by controlling traffic flows more effectively through the use of this new technology such as overhead gantries, lane specific signals, and driver information signs. They will also help us to manage the environmental impact of current motorway use.

In addition Managed Motorways  will support the economy by reducing the number of traditional widening schemes, creating a better return on investment and increasing safety at a national level.

How did it all get started?

The forerunner to Managed Motorways was a pilot carried out on a stretch of the M42 in the Midlands, close to Birmingham.

The pilot has been extremely positive, resulting in;

• road users' ability to accurately predict journey time increasing by 22%
• reduced accident rates
• 10% decrease in vehicle emissions
• 4% reductions in fuel consumption within the scheme's operating area

These are not the only positives from the pilot.  Alongside the technical data are high levels of customer satisfaction with 68% of surveyed road users saying they felt more informed during their journeys and 60% stating they would welcome this type of traffic management elsewhere on our network.

How do Managed Motorways work?

A Managed Motorway has two main elements to it: variable speed limits and hard shoulder running.

Variable speed limits

The variable speed limits keep traffic moving by controlling the flow of vehicles when the route is congested.  A computer system is used to calculate the most appropriate speed limit based on the volume of traffic.  Our aim is to keep you moving at all times, and variable speed limits help us to do this.

Hard shoulder running

The hard shoulder is used as an additional live traffic lane during periods of congestion.  When traffic builds up road users will be instructed to use the hard shoulder as an extra traffic lane, increasing the motorway's capacity, reducing congestion and keeping traffic moving.

The technology behind Managed Motorways

Click on the link below to see the technology behind a Managed Motorway:

View a larger version of this image

What do the Signals Mean?

Signs and signals on Managed Motorways inform drivers of traffic conditions ahead, speed limits and the availability of lanes. The position and sequence of the signals ensures that drivers have time to see and understand the signal and to make a manoeuvre.

During high volumes of traffic, speed limit signals show a mandatory speed limit across the carriageway. This means the speed limit is displayed in a red circle and is enforced by law.

The speed and availability of lanes is controlled so that the traffic is able to flow more smoothly, reducing congestion. In the unlikely event of an incident, the signals can also be used to control traffic around the incident. The same process can be used if we need to close a lane for roadworks, for example, providing additional protection to our workforce and more advance notice to road users.

To help protect incident scenes and queuing traffic, when in use, all signals are mandatory and will be enforced.

On Managed Motorways schemes the following signals and meanings apply

Blank signal

 
This is applicable to all lanes, including the hard shoulder, and means that normal motorway rules apply. The hard shoulder is only for use in case of an emergency or breakdown.

Mandatory speed limit

This is applicable to all lanes, including the hard shoulder, and means that this is the maximum permitted speed. The speed will be enforced by digital enforcement cameras.

White arrow with flashing beacons

This sign is applicable to all lanes, including the hard shoulder, and means that you should move into the lane as directed

Red Cross with flashing beacons

 
This sign is applicable to all lanes, including the hard shoulder, and means that you must not proceed any further in this lane.

Red Cross without flashing beacons

Only use the hard shoulder in an emergency or breakdown, as per the Highway Code. Note that this sign will only appear when Managed Motorways are in operation. When all signs are blank normal motorway rules apply and the hard shoulder must only be used in an emergency.

National speed limit

 
National speed limits apply  - applicable to all lanes, including the hard shoulder,

Entry/Exit signs

To inform drivers when they are entering or leaving a Managed Motorway.

Emergency Refuge Areas - for your safety

The safety of road users on our motorways is of paramount importance and all of the Managed Motorways we deliver will be equipped with Emergency Refuge Areas at regular 800m intervals.

Emergency Refuge Areas are wider than the hard shoulder to provide additional safety to anyone working on your vehicle during a breakdown, such as a recovery vehicle driver.

They are also fitted with the latest emergency roadside telephones with a direct connection to our Regional Control Centres, putting you through to trained HA operators to advise and support you.

The phones themselves are positioned behind safety fencing and are at a height suitable for disabled road users.  They are also fitted with a text messaging facility with eight different languages to aid communication for foreign drivers and those who have hearing difficulties.

Safety advice

You should always contact one of our control centres for advice on how to exit an Emergency Refuge Area once you are ready to get back on the road.  This is to make sure you are safe when returning to your journey and for our operators to assess what measures are needed to get you get back on the road, especially if you are driving a large or slow moving vehicle which may have difficulty re-entering the traffic flow.

Further Information on Managed Motorway schemes

There are 35 schemes in total making up the nationwide delivery of the Managed Motorway network.  Information on delivery in your area can be found via our dedicated project pages.  These will provide scheme specific information, current status on delivery and any public events that are being held that you can attend or documents you may wish to see.

At present the first eight schemes have planned 'start of works' dates scheduled to begin in the next two years or so.