2 Influencing motorists' behaviour
8. The Agency could take more action to influence
driver behaviour and reduce congestion. Lorries can be a particular
problem, overtaking too frequently when they do not have the speed
to pass, and blocking motorway and dual carriageway lanes for
other users. The Agency was consulting on a possible pilot on
the M42 of a dedicated lorry lane, although the Freight Transport
Association and others had expressed concerns. The Agency was
also working with the Road Haulage Association and the Freight
Transport Association to improve driving standards and reduce
the number of accidents involving lorries. The Agency also faced
challenges in scheduling abnormally large or heavy loads to minimise
disruption to the public and damage to the condition of the road.
The Agency had been created in 1994 to build and maintain highways,
and its objective was to manage safety. It had only acquired a
network management role some 18 months previously, and hence it
was only now beginning to change its focus.[8]
9. The Agency had recently trialled a message to
drivers who stayed in the middle lane needlessly, by using its
variable message signs. The initiative had received positive support
from motorists but the Agency had yet to fully evaluate the impact.
Short term benefits had accrued but the initiative had not changed
the behaviour of a sufficient number of drivers. The Agency could
not take direct action with motorists driving in the middle lane
unnecessarily or too close to the car in front as these were enforcement
matters, and hence the responsibility of the police.[9]
10. The Agency has not provided motorists with the
information they need to make choices both before, and during,
their journeys. Information for motorists planning a journey was
provided on television, local radio and its internet website.
More real time information was needed at the road-side, however,
as motorists joined motorways for example, to warn them of congestion
ahead so alternative routes could be used to minimise or avoid
delay. The Agency often had to balance adding to congestion on
principal routes with the risk of creating alternative congestion
on local routes.[10]
11. In Paris, however, drivers are given information
on how long it will take them to get from one junction to the
next, and on how well the traffic is flowing. Such information
clearly influences driver behaviour. The Agency did not believe
there were as many opportunities to give people choices in England
as in France. The Agency was nevertheless starting to provide
similar advice, for example on the best way round the M25 for
traffic coming down the M6. The necessary predictive technology
existed and was already used to post information on the Agency's
website, but further roll out of signs was needed on the roads.
As part of its mission, the Agency's National Traffic Control
Centre would deliver information to local television, radio and
to the website. The Agency was making significant investment in
enhancing the quality of its messaging to provide information
on the length of delays and alternative routes.[11]
12. The provision of information to motorists at
road works could be improved, particularly where speed restrictions
remained in place even though no contractors were currently working
at the sites and the carriageway appears to be clear. The Agency
kept speed restrictions in place where cones and other materials
presented a safety hazard. It acknowledged, however, that it should
inform motorists where safety was the reason for the restrictions.[12]
13. The Agency does not have sufficient intelligence
about planned events, such as concerts and major sporting events
which can cause significant disruption and congestion. It is not
therefore well prepared and able to advise on or implement traffic
management measures. The Agency will be making a case to be a
party to be consulted when such events are licensed.[13]
8 Qq 22-23, 30, 68 Back
9
Qq 72-73 Back
10
Qq 17-19, 25-29, 35-36, 40, 117-119 Back
11
Qq 19, 25-27, 56-59 Back
12
Qq 105-110 Back
13
C&AG's Report, para 18 Back
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