M25 Sphere - Delivery of the Seamless Highway Network

In 2003/04 the UK Highways Agency (HA) instructed M25 Sphere to investigate the feasibility of the provision of a UTMC Common Database for the M25 area. The control of most traffic signals at the junctions around the M25 has been rationalised by the installation of a Peek UTMC compliant system located at the Leatherhead depot. The maintenance of this system and its operation is managed by a team of engineers at the Hatfield offices of M25 Sphere. A CCTV control panel and monitor has been installed in the Hatfield office to enable engineers to view images from CCTV cameras on the M25 and its adjoining roads. An annual programme of work to reduce the cost of maintenance and to replace traffic signal equipment when it becomes difficult and expensive to maintain has been set up. An ongoing programme to review and amend where necessary the timings on all traffic signal installations in the M25 Sphere area has been carried out, and a programme of ongoing reviews every three years established, contributing to the H A's Safe Roads and Reliable Journey objectives. The above arrangements have already led to the following proven benefits: improved junction reliability througha 50% reduction in equipment and signal faults and a quicker response to faults; improved junction efficiency through updated signal plans and improved road markings at roundabouts; and reduced congestion through pro-active intervention with pre-programmed plans to free up junctions, manage incidents that partially block slip roads and gyratory systems and/or aid maintenance works on the motorway that require traffic to be diverted off the motorway. These interventions have reduced considerably the need for police or traffic officers to switch off the traffic signals when the junctions lock-up. The revised arrangements have led to a reduction in delays to traffic and an improvement in the reliability of journey times. Future plans in developing the M25 Sphere system are described.For the covering abstract see ITRD E134522

• Authors:
  • Cooper, T
  • GILDAY, K
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 13p
• Serial:
  • SMART MOVING CONFERENCE 2007

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Conferences; Freeways; Intelligent transportation systems; Local government agencies; Maintenance; Microprocessors; Traffic control; Traffic delays; Traffic signals; Travel; Travel time
• Uncontrolled Terms: Service; Utmc
• ITRD Terms: 8525: Conference; 9010: Delay; 8735: Intelligent transport system; 698: Journey; 697: Journey time; 192: Local authority; 3847: Maintenance; 8643: Microprocessor; 2752: Motorway; 654: Traffic control; 565: Traffic signal
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Operations and Traffic Management; I73: Traffic Control;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01081924
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Nov 29 2007 2:29PM