Highways Agency
Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers
Background
Background
In July 2001, John Spellar, the former Minister for Transport, announced that Active Traffic Management would be piloted on a section of the M42 corridor between junction 3A and 7, to the south-east of Birmingham. The Active Traffic Management pilot is expected to be fully operational by late 2006, following a phased implementation, which began in Winter 2004.
Active Traffic Management will contribute towards:
- Reliable journeys
- Reduced congestion
- Enhanced information to drivers
- Quicker response times to incidents
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.
Overview of active traffic management on the m42
Overview of Active Traffic Management on the M42
The Active Traffic Management pilot brings together a number of motorway technologies to demonstrate how they can be used together to maximise their benefits.
Building on best practice and experience from the UK and around the world, Active Traffic Management combines existing, tried and tested technology, infrastructure and procedures with new and innovative ideas. Together, these make the best use of the existing road space, providing additional capacity for vehicles, with the aim of reducing congestion. This may reduce the need for motorway widening.
Active Traffic Management can be thought of as a 'tool-box' of technologies and procedures, which can be used on their own, or together, to provide solutions to specific problems.
Active Traffic Management is a pro-active approach to the management of traffic, and will allow us to better fulfil the Highways Agency's role as Network Operator by:
- Providing targeted solutions to specific problems
- Providing additional capacity for vehicles
- Piloting new and innovative concepts
- Helping to alleviate congestion
- Improving the detection of incidents
- Improving the response to incidents
- Reducing delays caused by incidents or congestion
When will it be introduced?
When will it be introduced?
Active Traffic Management on the M42 is being introduced in phases. Construction began in 2003.
The final stage to be introduced is hard shoulder running, which will be when it is safe and appropriate to do so, by 2007.
Why the m42?
Why the M42?
A number of potential locations were assessed for the possible benefits that Active Traffic Management could bring to the area.
The M42 between junction 3A and 7 was chosen because of its strategic importance to the Midlands area in distributing local and national traffic, providing a link between the M40 and M6 motorways.
This route also serves the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and Birmingham International Airport, as well as the business parks and busy residential areas also along this corridor.
This route is a particularly good place to trial Active Traffic Management because of local issues, such as:
- High levels of traffic flow on both carriageways
- Higher than national average accident rates, particularly between junction 5 and 6
- The combination of local and strategic traffic using the motorway
- Congestion points where traffic joins and leaves the motorway
- The traffic problems associated with major events at the NEC, Birmingham International Airport and Birmingham International train station
- Future growth in the area
What is different?
What is different?
If you have driven down the M42 recently, you may have noticed a number of changes between junction 3A-7. These include the addition of:
- Lightweight gantries
- supporting new technology, such as signs, signals and cameras - located approximately every 500 metres along the road to provide earlier warnings to drivers of congestion or incidents ahead
- Signals
- informing drivers of the mandatory speed limits, traffic conditions on the motorway ahead and the availability of lanes
- Digital enforcement technology
- used to enforce the mandatory signals
- Driver information signs
- informing drivers of traffic conditions ahead
- Entry/exit signs
- informing drivers that they are entering or leaving an Active Traffic Management area
- Hard shoulder running
- when necessary, the hard shoulder will be used as an extra lane for all vehicles between junctions, to reduce congestion
- Emergency refuge areas
- distanced away from the main carriageway, wider than the hard shoulder and for use in all cases of emergency or break down, instead of the hard shoulder
- New emergency roadside telephones
- located in emergency refuge areas, used to contact the control centre in an emergency or break down and to receive advice on how to exit an emergency refuge area safely
- CCTV cameras
- an important safety feature providing comprehensive coverage of the scheme and enabling the control centre to monitor this section of the M42 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Full motorway lighting
- providing a safer driving environment at night and in bad weather and allowing the control centre to see the motorway using CCTV
- Sensors
- located every 100m, in the road surface, used to detect traffic and congestion, to alert the control centre to increases in traffic, allowing them to immediately manage the situation to reduce congestion. These are part of the Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling (MIDAS) system.
How does it work?
How does it work?
The main purpose of Active Traffic Management is to manage congestion, but it can also be used to manage the traffic around an incident, should one occur.
When this stretch of the M42 is not congested and there are no incidents, all normal motorway rules apply.
Normal Motorway Conditions:
- No congestion or incident
- No speed limits shown on signals
- National speed limits apply
- Hard shoulder only for emergency and break down use
- Use emergency refuge areas in an emergency or break down for added safety
If there is congestion or an incident, Active Traffic Management will manage the traffic to ease congestion:
Active Traffic Management without hard shoulder running:
- Incident or congestion ahead
- Speed limit signals are set and must be obeyed
- Driver information signs provide necessary information for road users
- Red cross over hard shoulder means do not use this lane, except in an emergency or break down
- Use emergency refuge areas in an emergency or break down for added safety
Controlling the traffic across all lanes, with the right speed for the traffic conditions, enables the traffic to flow more smoothly. This reduces constant stopping and starting, which therefore helps to prevent the break down of traffic flow. This will help to reduce congestion.
The system sets the same speed across the carriageway, which reduces the need for drivers to change lanes.
When necessary, the system also sets messages on the driver information signs to inform road users of the road conditions ahead of them. This helps to protect queuing traffic because drivers are aware of slow moving or stationary traffic ahead.
In the case of severe congestion or an incident in one of the normal running lanes the hard shoulder may be opened to traffic under controlled conditions:
Active Traffic Management with hard shoulder running:
- Incident or congestion ahead
- Speed limit signals will be set and must be obeyed
- Driver information signs provide necessary information for road users
- Hard shoulder used as a running lane between junctions
- Do not stop on the hard shoulder
- Use emergency refuge areas in an emergency or break down for added safety
The control centre can open the hard shoulder, as an extra running lane to reduce the impact of congestion by providing extra space for the traffic. The hard shoulder is opened under controlled conditions, once the Regional Control Centre operator has checked that the hard shoulder is clear of debris and vehicles.
The hard shoulder will only be open to vehicles between junctions and only between junctions that have a high volume of vehicles.
When should i use the hard shoulder?
When should I use the hard shoulder?
Using the hard shoulder as a running lane
You should use the hard shoulder as a running lane, between junctions, under the following circumstances:
- When the signal above the hard shoulder is displaying a speed limit and NOT a red cross or a blank signal AND
- You are intending to leave the motorway at the next junction
OR
- When the signal above the hard shoulder is displaying a speed limit and NOT a red cross or a blank signal AND
- You are joining the main carriageway from the previous junction
Due to the hard shoulder only being open between junctions it is not possible to drive on the hard shoulder continuously along the length of the scheme. It is also unlikely that the hard shoulder would be opened along the length of the scheme, as it will only be used where there is congestion or an incident.
Stopping on the hard shoulder
You may only stop on the hard shoulder in case of emergency or break down and if you are unable to reach an emergency refuge area. Only in these emergency circumstances may you pass underneath a red cross without flashing beacons displayed over the hard shoulder. You must never pass underneath a red cross with flashing beacons.
Using the hard shoulder to build up speed when leaving an emergency refuge area
During normal motorway conditions and in Active Traffic Management without hard shoulder running you may use the hard shoulder when leaving an emergency refuge area, to build up speed with the main carriageway. Only in these emergency circumstances may you pass underneath a red cross without flashing beacons displayed over the hard shoulder. You must never pass underneath a red cross with flashing beacons.
During Active Traffic Management with hard shoulder running you should not use the hard shoulder to build up speed with the main carriageway. Instead, use the emergency roadside telephone to contact the control centre, who can advise you of how to leave the emergency refuge area safely.
Differences between the Active Traffic Management hard shoulder and a normal hard shoulder
- The hard shoulder on a normal motorway can only be used in case of an emergency or break down.
During high levels of traffic or an incident the hard shoulder in Active Traffic Management can be used as an extra lane to reduce congestion and therefore there are overhead signals above the hard shoulder to indicate whether the lane is available for use. - The line marking the edge of the hard shoulder, between the hard shoulder and the main carriageway lane, normally includes a raised rib, which vibrates the vehicle and makes a noise to the driver when crossed.
In Active Traffic Management, the vibration and noise created by this line is reduced so as not to deter drivers from using the hard shoulder when it is available. Drivers will still be alerted by a humming sound when they cross this line. - Red reflective studs normally accompany the line marking the edge of the hard shoulder between the hard shoulder and the main carriageway lane.
In Active Traffic Management, red reflective studs are being retained on both sides of the hard shoulder. This ensures that during poor visibility, e.g. fog, drivers are given adequate warning of the edge of the carriageway, both when the hard shoulder is being used as a running lane and when it is not. - On a normal motorway, you can stop on the hard shoulder in case of an emergency or break down.
Whilst driving through Active Traffic Management on the M42 you should always aim to stop in the emergency refuge areas, instead of on the hard shoulder. The emergency refuge areas are located approximately every 500m, next to the hard shoulder. - In order to allow the hard shoulder to be used as a running lane it will be maintained as a running lane, including the clearing of debris, and winter maintenance, such as gritting.
Benefits of using the hard shoulder as a running lane
Using the hard shoulder provides three key benefits, which contribute towards preventing the break down in the flow of vehicles:
- Hard shoulder running allows local traffic, which is coming on at one junction and off at the next junction, to join the hard shoulder from the on-slip road and travel along the hard shoulder and straight up the off-slip road. This means that they do not disrupt the traffic on the main carriageway.
- It also allows traffic that wish to leave the motorway at the next junction to use the hard shoulder, which gives them a greater distance to change lanes.
- Similarly, it provides traffic joining the motorway with a greater distance to merge with the traffic on the main carriageway.
How does the system know what to do?
How does the system know what to do?
The sensors located in the road surface detect the amount and flow of traffic. The computerised system uses this information to calculate the best speed to keep traffic flowing smoothly. This speed is then displayed as a mandatory signal on the speed limit signals overhead.
The Active Traffic Management operator, based in the Regional Control Centre, is also able to control the speed limits and driver information signs. The system alerts the operator to increases in traffic and the operator is able to view the scheme using the CCTV cameras that cover the whole stretch of the M42 junction 3A to 7.
What do the signals mean?
What do the signals mean?
The signs and signals inform drivers of the traffic conditions on the road ahead, the speed limits and the availability of lanes. They provide protection for queuing traffic and the area around incidents from vehicles approaching the incident from the rear.
In order to maximise this protection, the signals are mandatory and will be enforced using digital technology.
Complying with the signals is a very important part of Active Traffic Management on the M42 because they are designed to make:
- Your journeys safer - the signals control the traffic around queues and incidents, which protects the vehicles in the queue/incident and the vehicles travelling towards them and is designed to make your journey safer.
- Your journey times more reliable - the signals control the traffic to improve the flow of vehicles, which is designed to reduce the impact of congestion and make your journey time more reliable.
The position and sequence of the signals ensures that drivers have time to see and understand the signal and to make a manoeuvre.
Along the Active Traffic Management section of the M42, the following signal meanings apply:
Blank Signal
Applicable to all lanes (including hard shoulder)
Normal motorway rules apply to this lane
Mandatory Speed Limit
Applicable to all lanes (including hard shoulder)
This is the maximum permitted speed
White Arrow with Flashing Beacons
Applicable to all lanes (including hard shoulder)
Move into lane directed
Red Cross with Flashing Beacons
Applicable to all lanes (including hard shoulder)
Do not proceed further in this lane
Red Cross without Flashing Beacons
Applicable only to hard shoulder
Do not use this lane except in emergency or break down
National Speed Limit
Applicable to all lanes (except hard shoulder)
National speed limits apply
**Please obey the signals and help keep the traffic moving on the M42**
The information or instruction given by the signals shown above can also be supported by information provided on the driver information panels. These are primarily used to inform road users of the traffic conditions ahead.
What happens if i break down?
What happens if I break down?
If you break down you should:
- Stop in an emergency refuge area
- Use the emergency roadside telephone to contact the control centre
The roadside telephone automatically pin points your location for the control centre.
Depending on your situation the control centre operator can send a Highways Agency Traffic Officer or recovery vehicle, or advise your recovery service.
Emergency refuge areas are designed to be used in all cases of emergency or break down, not only when the hard shoulder is being used as a running lane. They are located adjacent to the hard shoulder and there is one approximately every 500 metres along the length of Active Traffic Management on the M42.
Features include:
- New emergency roadside telephones
- Additional distance from the main carriageway
- Wider than the hard shoulder
By the time hard shoulder running is introduced, emergency refuge areas will also feature:
- Sensors to alert the control centre that a vehicle has entered the emergency refuge area
- CCTV enabling the control centre to monitor the vehicle and send assistance as necessary
Will I be able to reach an emergency refuge area?
Due to the close proximity of the emergency refuge areas it is highly likely that you would be able to reach an emergency refuge area. However, it is possible that in some cases of break down you may not be able to guide your vehicle into an emergency refuge area.
If this happens under normal motorway conditions or when Active Traffic Management without hard shoulder running is in operation, you should stop on the hard shoulder and follow the relevant advice given in The Highway Code.
If Active Traffic Management with hard shoulder running is in operation or you are unable to guide your vehicle to the hard shoulder you should follow the relevant advice given in The Highway Code. The control centre operator can control the signals to guide vehicles around you and provide access for your recovery service.
Emergency refuge areas should not be used for anything other than an emergency or break down. They are not to be used as lay-by and are monitored by CCTV linked directly to the control centre.
Emergency roadside telephones
If you need help, you should always contact the control centre using an emergency roadside telephone located in each emergency refuge area. They pin point your location for the control centre operator and features include:
- High visibility design
- Greatly improved audio performance
- Text-messaging facility for the hard of hearing
- Text-messaging facility for non-English speakers capable of featuring 8 different languages
- Back-lit LCD display for user prompts, volume control and text facility
- Easily accessible for wheelchair users
- Behind safety fencing
Leaving an emergency refuge area
For your safety, you should always contact the control centre using the emergency roadside telephone to gain advice on how to leave the emergency refuge area safely. This is because the way you leave an emergency refuge area depends on the mode that Active Traffic Management is running, and the category of vehicle you are driving.
In some cases, the control centre operator will be able to control traffic to enable you to leave in the safest way.
Normal motorway conditions:
- No congestion or incidents
- No speed limits shown on signals, national speed limits apply
- You can drive out of the emergency refuge area onto the hard shoulder
- Use the hard shoulder to build-up speed to join the main carriageway
- Check overhead signals for current speed limit and availability of lanes
Active Traffic Management without hard shoulder running:
- Incident or congestion ahead
- Signals are set and must be obeyed
- Red cross over hard shoulder means it is for emergency or break down use only
- Use the hard shoulder to build-up speed to join the main carriageway
- Check overhead signals for current speed limit and availability of lanes
Active Traffic Management with hard shoulder running:
- Incident or congestion ahead
- Signals are set and must be obeyed
- Use an emergency roadside telephone to contact the control centre for advice on leaving the emergency refuge area
- DO NOT use the hard shoulder to build-up speed
- Contact the control centre - the operator can control traffic to enable you to leave safely
- Check overhead signals for current speed limit and availability of lanes
Working in partnership with the recovery industry
In 2004 a demonstration of emergency refuge areas was held for operators from a number of recovery organisations. This enabled the recovery operators to view the safe roadside repair or recovery of a variety of different vehicles using emergency refuge areas. The day allowed recovery operators to understand how they may use the refuge areas and also to develop their own procedures, ensuring that they can provide the safest service when attending to their members.
What happens in congestion?
What happens in congestion?
When the early signs of congestion are detected on the M42 Active Traffic Management scheme, the control centre operator and automatic system will change the signs and signals to alert road users to the conditions ahead.
The system automatically calculates the best speed to keep the traffic flowing and then this is displayed on the speed limit signals overhead.
The control centre can also open the hard shoulder, under controlled conditions, as an extra running lane to reduce the impact of congestion by providing extra space for the traffic. This will help to keep the traffic flowing and minimise delays.
What happens in an incident or accident?
What happens in an incident or accident?
If an incident occurs on the M42 Active Traffic Management scheme, the control centre operator and automatic system will change the signs and signals to alert road users to the conditions on the road ahead.
The signals can also be used to open and close lanes, where necessary. For example, the control room could direct vehicles out of a lane and open it up for emergency vehicles to access an incident. The gantries used on this scheme are much closer together than other motorways, which gives us greater control over the traffic and gives you, the driver, more information about what is happening on the motorway ahead.
This means that the control centre can easily provide access to the incident for on-road help, in the form of emergency services and Highways Agency Traffic Officers, who will help to manage the incident. The Traffic Officers will be able to provide on-the-spot backup to the emergency services, removing obstructions, assisting with traffic management and repairing roadside equipment, thus helping to quickly re-open the road and reduce delays to drivers.
More information on Highways Agency Traffic Officers.
The control centre can also open the hard shoulder, under controlled conditions, as an extra running lane to reduce the impact of incidents by providing extra space for the traffic. This will help to keep the traffic flowing and minimise delays.
What are the safety features?
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.
What are all the cameras?
What are all the cameras?
We have installed 4 different types of camera along the Active Traffic Management scheme:
- Pan, Tilt & Zoom (PTZ) CCTV Cameras
- Used By: Highways Agency Regional Control Centre
- Features: Position and zoom can be controlled remotely to provide comprehensive coverage of the scheme
- Purpose: To enable control centre operators to identify and monitor congestion/incidents
- Fixed CCTV Cameras
- Used By: Highways Agency Regional Control Centre
- Features: Positioned along the hard shoulder
- Purpose: To enable control centre operators to ensure the hard shoulder is clear of debris and vehicles prior to opening and monitor it whilst it is being used as a running lane
The image below, taken during a night-time CCTV trial, shows the clarity of the new CCTV cameras.
- Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) Cameras
- Used By: Highways Agency Monitoring Consultants
- Features: Enables the tracking of where vehicles join and leave the motorway and their journey times
- Purpose: Measures real traffic behaviour, allowing us to tailor traffic management tools and assess the impact of Active Traffic Management on journey times. This information can then be used to improve the system and the way in which it operates
- Digital Enforcement Cameras
- Used By: West Midlands Police
- Features: Once mandatory speed limits are introduced new digital cameras will be in use. You will notice ladder markings on the road surface and camera signs on the gantries
- Purpose: To ensure compliance with the overhead signals for the safe and effective operation of the scheme in reducing congestion and the impact of incidents
**Please obey the signals and help keep the traffic moving on the M42**
How does it affect the environment?
Active Traffic Management (ATM) Project M42 Junctions 3A-7
The construction work necessary for Active Traffic Management began in Spring 2003.
Civil engineering work included:
- Construction of emergency refuge areas
- Construction of bases for the lightweight gantries
- Production and erection of the gantries, upon which all electronic signals and signs are mounted
- Provision of lighting along the length of the scheme
- Construction of a safety barrier by the side of the verge to protect drivers and Active Traffic Management equipment
- Creation of a trough along the length of the scheme to house the cabling which supplies power and provides a connection between the CCTV cameras and the control centre
In December 2004 works between junction 3A and 5 were completed and the first elements of the project were switched on to provide benefits to road users. This enabled the lifting of the hard shoulder closure and 50mph speed limit along this section. New lighting, the Motorway Incident Detection and Automatic Signalling (MIDAS) system and new electronic signs displaying advisory speed limits over each of the running lanes, are now in use to provide a safer driving environment for the travelling public.
Commissioning work is currently ongoing between junction 5 and 7. This is well on the programmed schedule to be completed on the entire 17km length of the scheme by Summer 2005. Some limited lane closures will still be necessary over the summer whilst message signs and CCTV are commissioned, but the major aspects of construction, such as gantry installation, are now complete.
A temporary 50mph speed limit was in force on this section of the M42 to increase the safety protection of our workforce and the public passing through the works. We have experienced several accidents, including injuries to our workforce, from excessive speed through the road works. Once safety cameras and the other speed restriction measures were installed, there was a considerable reduction in the speed of vehicles, and a significant reduction in the number of accidents and disruptions to the construction works.
How does it affect the environment?
How does it affect the environment?
Active Traffic Management and its effect on the environment has been carefully considered. In line with the latest European and Government Directives, we have undertaken assessments of the impact of the scheme on the local environment. This included surveys of existing trees and shrubs, landscape, water and ecology as well as noise and air quality assessments in order to anticipate the likely effect of the scheme and its construction.
We have consulted with a number of organisations such as the Environment Agency, English Nature and the Local Planning Authorities over the findings of these assessments, which have shown that the impact of Active Traffic Management on the M42 will be minimal, particularly in comparison to widening or new road building.
All of the construction works and the resulting infrastructure of Active Traffic Management will sit within the existing highway boundary. This means there will be no need for any additional widening into adjourning agricultural or residential land. This means we have been able to keep the impact of Active Traffic Management on the local environment to an absolute minimum.
However, in order to ensure that impact is as low as possible, we have put in place a series of mitigation measures including ensuring that existing vegetation is retained as much as possible and we will be planting new vegetation to offset any impact. The lighting that has been installed along the project scheme length to supplement existing lighting has been designed to the latest rigorous standards to ensure that any light spill, in particular that effecting local residential areas, is kept to an absolute minimum.
In the longer term, Active Traffic Management may have a beneficial impact in certain areas such as local air quality, where more efficient traffic flow will result in a local reduction of harmful vehicle emissions.
How is the pilot being assessed?
How is the pilot being assessed?
Extensive monitoring of the Active Traffic Management scheme is being carried out by Monitoring Consultants. The monitoring is carried out before and after the introduction of Active Traffic Management, with the primary aim of the work being to evaluate the impact of Active Traffic Management as a range of measures and especially of using the hard shoulder as an extra running lane.
This work ranges from traffic data analysis, through environmental concerns to safety related issues. It also includes some research looking at public attitudes towards Active Traffic Management and it's features. Monitoring and data collection has been ongoing since March 2002 and will continue for the duration of the pilot until 2008. Assessments will be made once a sufficient amount of data from the after monitoring period has been collected.
Using this information a business case can be developed to inform decisions on whether Active Traffic Management should be used elsewhere on the English strategic road network.
Was a consultation held?
Was a consultation held?
Yes, a consultation was held to provide interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the legislative changes that are required to allow the implementation of the Active Traffic Management pilot on the M42 motorway from junction 3A to 7.
Two Statutory Instruments were drafted with the purpose of modifying existing regulations to allow this project to proceed. The first document for consultation was the draft Statutory Instrument, The M42 (junction 3A to 7) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2005. As drafted, this proposed Statutory Instrument modifies the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982, S.I. 1982/1163 for the M42 junction 3A to 7 only - it does not amend the Regulations on a national basis.
The second document for consultation was the draft Statutory Instrument, The Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations and General Directions 2005. As drafted, this proposed Statutory Instrument amends the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002, S.I. 2002/3113 for those motorways with an Actively Managed Hard Shoulder.
These regulation changes became law on 27th July 2005.
More information on the M42 Active Traffic Management consultation.
Where can i get more information?
Where can I get more information?
For further information:
- Please complete the contact us form, or
- Email m42atmproject@highways.gsi.gov.uk, or
- Telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30
- Download our Public Information leaflet (903KB PDF)
The technical details
The technical details
Key facts
- This section of motorway is 17km long
- Well over 120,000 vehicles use it every day
- For Active Traffic Management we have installed 54 new gantries
- These gantries support 268 lane specific signals and 63 driver information panels
- There are 39 new emergency refuge areas
- And 22km of safety fencing
- 192 new fixed CCTV have been installed to enable our Regional Control Centre to carefully monitor the scheme
- New lighting is supported on 1,004 new lighting columns
- And there is 525km of different types of cabling
Contractor Permit to Access System
If you require access to the M42 between junction 3A and 7, in order to carry out any planned maintenance or emergency works, you must be a recognised Highways Agency contractor and you must adhere to our Permit to Access System.
This system has been put in place to protect the travelling public and the workforce of recognised contractors.
The hard shoulder is being used as an extra lane available to traffic during busy periods or in the event of an incident. This may happen at any time of the day and therefore you must not stop on the hard shoulder AT ANY TIME, unless a valid permit is held and access has been authorised.
Press area
Press area
Search for a news story on Active Traffic Management
Notes to Editors
- The Active Traffic Management pilot on the M42 between junction 3A and 7, to the south-east of Birmingham, will make best use of the existing road space to help reduce congestion. It aims to provide more reliable journey times, improved safety and better information for motorists.
- The Active Traffic Management pilot is being rolled-out in phases, from Winter 2004 to Winter 2006.
- Active Traffic Management includes traffic monitoring equipment, new gantries to display variable speed limits and real-time information to drivers, emergency refuge areas and improved lighting and drainage. In a later phase, controlled use of the hard shoulder during congestion or incidents will manage traffic better.
- The M42 was chosen due to its strategic importance to the Midlands area in distributing local and national traffic, providing a link between the M40 and M6 motorways. This route also serves the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and Birmingham International airport, as well as the business parks and busy residential areas also along this corridor. Active Traffic Management also provides targeted solutions to specific problems along this busy West Midlands corridor.
- Further information on the Active Traffic Management pilot is available from the Highways Agency Information Line (HAIL) 08457 50 40 30 or by e-mailing m42atmproject@highways.gsi.gov.uk
- The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport, which manages, maintains and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England on behalf of the Secretary of State. It works closely with other transport operators and local authorities to integrate the trunk road network with the rest of England's roads and other forms of transport.
Press Contacts
Anthony Aston
M42 Active Traffic Management Pilot
Communications Officer
Telephone: 0121 6874078
Mobile: 07879 086026
Email: Anthony.Aston@highways.gsi.gov.uk
Highways Agency, 5 Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham B15 1BL
Publicity campaign
Publicity campaign
Active Traffic Management provides drivers with a different driving environment. For this reason, we have a comprehensive publicity programme, largely focusing on the West Midlands region, to inform drivers of the changes associated with the introduction of Active Traffic Management.
Public exhibitions are planned for this scheme. Please check back for future dates and locations.
Download a printable version of our Public Information leaflet (903KB PDF)
Media Coverage
Active Traffic Management has been featured in a number of publications. For example:
The Guardian, 26th October 2005 - "Smooth-flowing traffic is on the way. As roads become more crowded, managing traffic becomes a greater priority - which is why the Highways Agency has built IT into its newest motorway"
For full article please visit The Guardian Online
Transportation Professional, September 2005 - "News: M42 safety bays unveiled. Stranded motorists who break down on the M42 near Birmingham are now afforded added protection from passing traffic following the opening of 39 emergency refuge areas beside the hard shoulder."
For full article please visit The Institute of Highways & Transportation (please note that a subscription is required)
Traffic Engineering and Control, July 2005 - "Congestion is a growing problem in all the major conurbations across the UK, and the Confederation of British Industry has estimated that the cost of congestion to the UK economy is in the region of £20 billion a year. It is a growing problem, and although the HA are increasing capacity on some strategic roads, such as the M1 and M25, this is not a viable long term solution. There is not enough space to do it in urban areas and even if there were, it would not be environmentally acceptable. It is therefore imperative that we make the best possible use of all road space available. Active Traffic Management is a pilot scheme on the M42 motorway in the West Midlands which aims to do just that. So the big question we have to answer is, is it the next step in Inter-Urban Intelligent Transport Systems?"
For full article please visit Traffic Engineering & Control Magazine (please note that a subscription is required)
The Engineer, 16-29 May 2005 - "Fortunately, amid the clamour for more roads, an increasingly vocal group of planners, engineers and academics is proposing a range of more thoughtful solutions. They claim that technology can make a real contribution to reducing congestion at a fraction of the cost of road-building programmes. This is not just idle techno-banter either. It is happening, now, quietly and without fanfare turning the UK into a global centre of excellence for road technology."
For full article please visit The Engineer Online (please note that a subscription is required)
Traffic Technology International, April-May 2005 - "Offering a variety of cutting-edge traffic management tools and technologies to its customers makes this section of the M42 the most advanced and responsive roadspace the UK has ever seen."
The full article is not available online. For free subscription to paper version please visit Traffic Technology International
Disabled Motorist Magazine, 2004 - "…the pilot section of the M42 looks like being, in reality, a far safer place for disabled motorists than any other trunk route in Britain. Constant monitoring, computer linked signage, immediate lane closures and refuges every 500 metres add up to an impressive array of ststems to try and ease congestion - and should mean, if you are in difficulty, that the response is rapid."
For full article please visit The Disabled Motorist.