Government announces new roads investment
In the recent Autumn Statement, Chancellor Philip Hammond announced further investment into the transport infrastructure across England. This investment is designed to reduce congestion, improve journey times and boost economic benefits to cities around the country. A variety of traffic surveys, journey time investigations and other data collection is likely to be required in order to identify exactly where the investment is needed, and what sort of plans are required.
Key pinch points targeted
Overall, the government is planning to invest an additional £1.1bn into roads and local transport, upgrading in key places and focusing on those areas where severe congestion occurs. In the detail of the Autumn Statement, this expenditure is allocated as follows:
- £220m to ease congestion ‘at critical points on the strategic road network’. No specific plans have yet been announced.
- £390m investment in future technologies, including electric vehicle charging points, support for low emission public transport vehicles, money for the development of alternative fuel options for aviation and HGVs, and additional investment in the research and testing of driverless car technology.
- £100m towards flood prevention and resilience, particularly focused on those road systems which have suffered from flood damage in recent years.
- £27m of development funding for the Oxford-Cambridge expressway, via Milton Keynes, opening a growth corridor from east to west.
Road and traffic survey results
In addition, the government is looking at five key road systems, following studies carried out by the Department for Transport. As part of the 2020-2025 Roads Investment Strategy, road improvements will be carried out on the A66 and the M60 North West quadrant, with further investigation underway into the case for improvements to the A1 in the East of England, and better connections between Sheffield and Manchester.
Traffic survey support from RDS
At Road Data Services, we work with local authorities, government departments, developers and contractors to assess current road usage and provide key data to help parties make the best possible decisions. From motorway journey time surveys through to parking data and automated traffic counts, we can help deliver key data to a wide range of private and public projects. To find out more, contact us today.
Automatic Traffic Counts (ATCs) allow you to collect detailed data quickly and effectively, helping you to plan for the future. Here, we give you four good reasons why hiring someone to do this work for you is so valuable.
Regular traffic updates: For any road and traffic authority, having an up-to-date overview of what’s happening on the roads is crucial achat viagra en ligne canada. The right information can give you a head start when it comes to planning short-term developments like road improvements, or long-term projects such as new road building.
Minimise disruption: There are many ways to collect this information; from a standard vehicle counting system to air-pulse recording devices. All of these can be installed and activated without disrupting traffic flow, allowing traffic surveyors to collect accurate data over a defined period of time.
Improve forecasting: New developments have a wide range of interested parties, including the road development authority, local developers and planners and of course the community. When large developments are being planned and tested, the ability to forecast the potential strain on the road system is vital. Undertaking an automatic traffic count gives you the information you need, in the format that suits you best.
Not just traffic: Planners who combine people and vehicle counting alongside other road users such as cyclists, get a more complete picture of what is happening in their local area, and can plan to ensure that all road and pavement users are properly catered for. Using a range of survey services, including parking and pedestrian surveys can save time and money during the costly planning process.
Automatic Traffic Count services from RDS
At Road Data Services, we offer a range of methods for collecting automatic traffic count data, supplying information across 13 classes for transport. These include tube-based Metrocount systems and volumetric devices and we supply data in whichever format is best for you. To find out more about our services or to talk about a particular ATC project, please just contact us today.
An £88 million project to manage traffic flow and improve driver safety on a seven-mile stretch of road where the M4 meets the M5 at the Almondsbury Interchange just outside Bristol. The project uses a variety of smart technologies to manage traffic, helping road users to keep moving safely, reducing the potential for accidents and making the most of the motorway network.
HA Traffic Survey
The scheme was launched in January 2014, and now the Highways Agency is conducting a traffic survey which asks for driver experiences, so that the Agency can assess the effectiveness of the system in its early days.
The scheme uses a number of technologies and traffic management options which may be familiar to those driving on other busy sections of the UK motorway network. These include variable speed limits, the use of the hard shoulder as an additional lane during heavy traffic and responsive overhead signs that can give quick and accurate information to drivers about lane closures, accidents or incidents ahead and access for emergency vehicles.
Feedback on Smart Road Management
“More than 140,000 vehicles use this stretch of the M4 and M5 every day,” said Paul Unwin of the Highways Agency. “After a two year period of residents and commuters patiently enduring road works and heavy construction, we are now keen to hear just how our road users are adjusting to the new system. I therefore urge drivers to take our online survey, so we can better understand the needs of road users for future projects.”
The Highways Agency also said that although work was complete and the project launched, there will still be some overnight closures and diversions as additional work takes place. Diversions will be in place for those road users affected.
Do you use this stretch of motorway? If you’d like to give your feedback, you can visit the Highways Agency Traffic Survey page.
Traffic Survey Data from RDS
For detailed, tailored traffic surveys, including automated traffic counts, speed surveys, queue surveys and journey time surveys, talk to RDS. We specialise in designing, implementing and reporting on a wide range of traffic and pedestrian-related issues. Our data helps you to make decisions about highways management, traffic flow around new developments, improved pedestrian and cyclist safety and much more. To find out how we can help, just contact us today.
Yet more ATC surveys won over the Christmas period, this time in Manchester city centre.
