Project description The project focused around the installation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) solutions on a stretch of the A14 motorway in the United Kingdom, part of the Priority Project 13 road axis linking the United Kingdom and Ireland with the Benelux countries.

The following ITS applications were installed:

• Incident detection and automatic signing, traffic detection system and queue protection using variable message signs on cantilever structures
• Strategic diversionary message sign information at specific junctions
• Extensive closed circuit television (CCTV) coverage for improved incident response

Benefits of the project
The extensive ITS applications on this stretch of infrastructure have allowed the road network operator to gather real-time information regarding traffic flows, possible bottlenecks and accidents. Road users have benefited from increased levels of safety and have utilised real-time traffic information for better journey planning and alternative route suggestions.

Research has shown that queue protection systems significantly reduce the risk of rear-end accidents, saving an average of 13% of all injury accidents on the affected network. Additionally, CCTV coverage has lowered incident response time and shortens the duration of accidents, giving in turn a 2% reduction in the severity
of casualties.

Through the use of ITS, the project has:

• Helped to remove bottlenecks for both national and international traffic
• Improved interconnections with ports and airports
• Increased capacity
• Improved safety and throughput of traffic, particularly the traffic travelling to and from the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich connecting to Europe
• minimised any adverse environmental impact by using detection technology rather than carriageway widening

The project also contributes to ongoing EU ITS initiatives including EasyWay, the TEN-T co-funded project for Europe wide ITS deployment, and the ITS Action Plan, which seeks to foster the uptake of ITS services, increase interoperability and solve privacy and liability issues.

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Info and links

Member States involved:

United Kingdom

Implementation schedule:

Start date: May 2009

End date: May 2011

Beneficiaries & Implementing bodies:

Highways Agency

Department for Transport

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