DfT to install new motorway tech

The Department for Transport (DfT) is to start work on 24 road and public transport schemes, several including managed motorway and hard shoulder running projects.

Under its plans, the department is to improve access to Sheffield by using managed motorways technology on the M1 in Derbyshire between junctions 28 and 31.

Active traffic management, such as imposing variable speed limits and use of hard shoulders, involves use of digital signage and monitoring to minimise congestion. It also relies on extensive use of cameras, for checking the variable speed limits used, to monitor usage and to watch for breakdowns when hard shoulders are used for traffic, as a way of providing more capacity without building new roads or lanes.

Other new managed motorways or hard shoulder running projects will take place on the M62 (junctions 18-20 and 25-30); M60 around Manchester (junctions 8–12); M1 (junctions 32–35a and 39-42); M6 (junctions 5-8) and M25 (junctions 5-6/7 and 23-27).

"This government sees transport as a key driver of growth nationally and in the regions. So I am delighted to be able to give the green light to 24 new transport projects and a fund worth over £600m for many more schemes to bid for," said transport secretary Philip Hammond.

The Highways Agency will also continue work on developing a further 14 schemes in preparation for them to start in future spending review periods "as funding becomes available", the DfT added.

It will also make final decisions on a number of local authority road and public transport schemes during 2011.

This article was originally published at Kable.

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