Motorways Get Smart

You may have noticed that some motorways have received face lifts in the past couple of years, the upgrades being part of the Government’s initiative to introduce the ‘smart motorway’. Subjects of technical and civil engineering,’ smart motorways’ have seen standard motorways receive alterations to signage, usage and function, requiring specialist road design expertise.

Technology which provides information to road users upon entry to the motorway gantry includes the status of each lane, variable speed limits or lane closures. This allows users to make informed decisions about position/manoeuvring to ensure a steady flow of traffic.

Other changes to the traditional functions to the motorway include the hard shoulder being used as a standard lane during busy periods. This increases motorway capacity, thereby tackling congestion however the hard shoulder should not be used if there is a red X displayed above that lane. As a point of refuge for stricken drivers, safety areas have been built into the road design at regular intervals and there is an emergency telephone available to contact assistance.

There has, however, been some criticism of the ‘smart motorway’ system from safety campaigners. Confused.com reported that the RAC have argued that whilst the new configuration helps with traffic flow, the approach of declaring the hard shoulder as closed by a red ‘X’ over the lane, are less likely to be obeyed by drivers. The AA similarly has reservations about the scheme, claiming that the removal of the hard shoulder from over 500 miles of English motorways over the next 6 years could have ramifications. They fear that drivers who experience a breakdown, may not make one of the refuge areas safely, thus, leaving them vulnerable by having to stop in a live traffic lane.

Interestingly though, these motorways may see more drivers being fined for exceeding speed limits. The variable speed limits which are now part some of the ‘smart motorway’ functionality, means that the national speed limit of 70 mph is no longer a blanket speed on the motorway. The cameras are also painted grey, which it is argued, is unfair as they are harder to spot than the large yellow speed cameras that we are used to.

The government maintain that the introduction of the ‘smart motorway’ will potentially improve journey times on the M1 by 10% and by 15% on the M3, with further motorways being included in the scheme. Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin said that, “Smart motorways are an effective and cost efficient way of increasing space on our roads, cutting jams and speeding up journey times and I am pleased to announce the start of work on these schemes.”

The AA has carried out a review of the introduction of the scheme to the M42 and the outcome of the research revealed that the new system improves capacity and makes driving more comfortable in peak traffic, it encourages better lane discipline and there was no evidence of the AA patrols reaching members when called out to a breakdown. To that end, the response to the new road design of the ‘smart motorway’ seems relatively positive.

Alan Wood & Partners operate throughout the UK and have a dedicated, experienced and qualified site professional’s team, including specialist road designers, whose specialist expertise covers a wide range of engineering disciplines, delivering projects on behalf of clients in a variety of sectors, including road design, road surfacing and repairs.