Ask a Highways England Traffic Officer anything
Discussion
Flibbertygibbet said:
Speaking of which. RedX enforcement is on the way as soon as the HADECS3 cameras get the required type approval which is expected in the first few months of this year. If you get letters now you will have been pinged by an ANPR camera temporarily strapped to the enforcement gantry.
This also includes the MS4s in all lane running zones that display a RedX with wickets. You may have noticed they have had software upgrades recently to include red flashing lanterns which make the Red X fully enforceable.
Can't come soon enough IMO. I disagree with the stupid speed limits set on the "smart" motorways but the lanes are rarely closed for spurious reasons. This also includes the MS4s in all lane running zones that display a RedX with wickets. You may have noticed they have had software upgrades recently to include red flashing lanterns which make the Red X fully enforceable.
Well apart maybe from late at night when they're about to lay out cones, taken an empty motorway down to 20mph but haven't yet got round to putting the cones out...
BossHogg said:
We've also raised it as being unnecessary, we were informed it was to let the traveling public know that traffic was flowing smoothly.
It's more than unnecessary, there is a substantial proportion of people who slow down to read *any* sign. From many years of commuting regularly by motorway it's noticeable how they create traffic jams from that ripple effect.
Equally displaying junk all the time means people tune out. They should only ever be used for emergency / urgent messages.
revvingit said:
OpulentBob said:
I've been considering an "ask a roads engineer/designer" thread but I fear it will bring the mouth breathers and armchair experts out of the woodwork. And if there's anything PH isn't short of, it's armchair experts.
That sounds like it would be an interesting thread. At least to try and understand the reasoning behind some decisions that appear bonkers to outsiders (I'm looking at you, 30mph dual carriageways).On a motorway related note I'd love to know what the thinking was round the painted priority changes at J3A of the M42 heading south/west. Still baffles me to this day why they did it, it used to be lane 2 (from the M42) continued in their lane which becomes lane 1 as lane 1 merges to it and the outer two lanes from the M40 continue. Now lane 1 (from the M42) continues in their lane while lane 2 has a *very* short merge with the fast traffic from the M40. IMO makes it far more dangerous as well as noticeably worse traffic jams.
Fastdruid said:
BossHogg said:
We've also raised it as being unnecessary, we were informed it was to let the traveling public know that traffic was flowing smoothly.
It's more than unnecessary, there is a substantial proportion of people who slow down to read *any* sign. From many years of commuting regularly by motorway it's noticeable how they create traffic jams from that ripple effect.
Equally displaying junk all the time means people tune out. They should only ever be used for emergency / urgent messages.
You would think they could follow the guidelines:
"try to limit the number of signs as much as possible;"
"try to eliminate irrelevant information in order to reduce the amount of information drivers have to assimilate"
Red 4 said:
Why don't you have a right-on, politically correct, thought of at a cost of ££££, crappy motto on the side of your vehicles - like the ones the police have ?
Y'know the sort - "Police and Communities Together", "Total Policing" "Proud to Protect", etc. etc.
"Highways England; Wombling - But Not Free".
"Highways England; Keeping Pistonheader's Piss Boiling".
"Highways England; We're not the fedz".
You may already have one - I just haven't noticed.
Highways England. Open 24/7, unlike our motorways.Y'know the sort - "Police and Communities Together", "Total Policing" "Proud to Protect", etc. etc.
"Highways England; Wombling - But Not Free".
"Highways England; Keeping Pistonheader's Piss Boiling".
"Highways England; We're not the fedz".
You may already have one - I just haven't noticed.
I have only skimmed through this thread so forgive me if its been asked before...
Why do you use expensive 4x4 vehicles instead of Vans?
The only time I have seen an 'official' vehicle towing another from a live lane was a Police BMW X5 on the M6 some time ago... Whilst the HA guys just stood there watching... So why do you need a 4x4?
And the reasoning 'it's in case of Snow' doesn't really come into the argument.
Why not a 1 in four ratio of 4x4 to Vans?
dmsims said:
Why don't you (HE) use something like a V90?
More powerful, more economical, better to drive and roomier ?
Our vehicles team are evaluating possible patrol vehicles all the time, a number have been converted to patrol cars on a trial basis, but never made it on to the fleet due to being unsuitable for a number of reasons. More powerful, more economical, better to drive and roomier ?
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