About the new M42 traffic system

[ledfoot]

Found an official HWA link that details the new traffic management system being introduced on the M42.

The speed cameras are not installed yet, but they will be on the new gantrys.

Some idiot in a Volvo stamped on his brakes and refused to go over 50mph, as soon as the advisory speed warning signs went on this morning. Everyone was forced to pass him in the middle lane

www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/tcc/atm/index.htm

[alcad]

I dont know if there is any truth in it, but i was speaking to someone the other day and the said that the M42 was having/had cameras on all the entry/exit slip roads that clocked the time you got on/off the motoway thus calculating your speed over the set distances.

and sure enough i have seen forward facing cameras on the slip roads (one for each lane). I can't think what else they would be for.

Any ideas?

[TripleS]

alcad said:

I dont know if there is any truth in it, but i was speaking to someone the other day and the said that the M42 was having/had cameras on all the entry/exit slip roads that clocked the time you got on/off the motoway thus calculating your speed over the set distances. and sure enough i have seen forward facing cameras on the slip roads (one for each lane). I can't think what else they would be for. Any ideas?

Hmm. I know where there's a few tons of ammonium nitrate* that could be put to good use.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

* I think that's the right stuff isn't it?

[bluepolarbear]

alcad said:

I dont know if there is any truth in it, but i was speaking to someone the other day and the said that the M42 was having/had cameras on all the entry/exit slip roads that clocked the time you got on/off the motoway thus calculating your speed over the set distances. and sure enough i have seen forward facing cameras on the slip roads (one for each lane). I can't think what else they would be for. Any ideas?

The speed of vehicles is measured every 100m by road sensors and every 500m by camera. The camera will monitor you by APNR.

The use of the APNR is to monitor traffic flows and control exit/entry to the motorway (traffic lights will be placed on the slip road).

There is no intention to use the technology for speed enforcement. Variable speed limits will be enforced by regular digital camera's based on gantries.

Or at least that is what they told me.

[ledfoot]

alcad said:

I dont know if there is any truth in it, but i was speaking to someone the other day and the said that the M42 was having/had cameras on all the entry/exit slip roads that clocked the time you got on/off the motoway thus calculating your speed over the set distances. and sure enough i have seen forward facing cameras on the slip roads (one for each lane). I can't think what else they would be for. Any ideas?

www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/motorways/m42/atm_diversions/faq/

7. Will speed enforcement cameras be used as part of ATM?

ATM will be using the latest development in camera enforcement technology - the Highways Agency Digital Enforcement Camera System (HADECS). HADECS will only be used when there are mandatory variable speed limits indicated on the signs and signals along the Active Traffic Management stretch. This system will be used to ensure that drivers are complying with the speed restrictions. It is not intended to be used for enforcement under normal 70mph motorway running conditions.

8. Where will the speed enforcement cameras be?

The cameras will be located throughout the Active Traffic Management stretch of M42 Motorway and will be mounted on the new signal gantries.

9. Does the Highways Agency gain revenue from the use of speed cameras?

No - there is no revenue generation agenda, the Agency in fact receives no revenue whatsoever from such cameras. Speed camera enforcement is carried out by the police

[gopher]

I had the need to travel up the m42 late last year and was unsure of the scamera situation and was put in this situation:-

I was travelling at around 60-65 (safe for the conditions IMO and a similar speed to those around me) as I approached a gantry the sign, which was previously blank, flashed up 40, and without braking hard there was no way I could achieve this reduction in the space available.

If the car behind me had not been so close I may have considered heavy braking, but not for long, I don’t think it does anyone any good on a busy motorway, and he was too close, so I took my chances and carried on, lifting off the accelerator and just dabbing the brakes so the guy behind me knew I was slowing.

As far as I was aware I did the safest thing possible, but if a scamera had been there I may well have been done.

It seems there are no cameras and I got away with it, but without knowing if they delay the start of the camera operation for a period of time after the limit change people will not know and may well brake heavily in this situation.

Cheers

Paul

[ledfoot]

gopher said:

It seems there are no cameras and I got away with it, but without knowing if they delay the start of the camera operation for a period of time after the limit change people will not know and may well brake heavily in this situation.

I am sure we will see a lot more of this heavy braking before and after the new digital cameras are installed.

Keep your distance !

[alcad]

bluepolarbear said:

The use of the APNR is to monitor traffic flows and control exit/entry to the motorway (traffic lights will be placed on the slip road)

I dont understand why they would need ANPR to monitor traffic flow, surely all they need to know is the amount of vehicles not their registration details?

Plus if they were going to install traffic lights wouldn't they have done the work while carrying out all the other road modifications.

[Neezer]

What about all the times they leave the 50-40 mph speed restrictions on when the hazard has passed? i.e fog/mist in early mornings clearing quite quickly.

[ledfoot]

Neezer said:

What about all the times they leave the 50-40 mph speed restrictions on when the hazard has passed? i.e fog/mist in early mornings clearing quite quickly.

Unless the speed limit is in a red circle, it is only advisory.

[bluepolarbear]

alcad said:

bluepolarbear said: The use of the APNR is to monitor traffic flows and control exit/entry to the motorway (traffic lights will be placed on the slip road) I dont understand why they would need ANPR to monitor traffic flow, surely all they need to know is the amount of vehicles not their registration details? Plus if they were going to install traffic lights wouldn't they have done the work while carrying out all the other road modifications.

There is a range of trial technologies and control of the slip roads comes later. As I understood the APNR is to understand the movements of individual vehicles through the network and not just volumetrics.

[Pigeon]

TripleS said:

I know where there's a few tons of ammonium nitrate* that could be put to good use. * I think that's the right stuff isn't it?

One of many, and perhaps the commonly available one involving the least work...

[8Pack]

All your posts smack of a lack of information coming from the authorities and government. It's regulation by fear. Dangerous in my opinion.

I don't know the truth of it, just like you. But the German Autobahns have cameras, lots of them, part of the variable speed limit system. They are monitoring the traffic density and flow.

Now if that means that when it's clear, the limit will be raised! I'm all for it. It's time we did the same and joined the 21st century. After all you wouldn't run a railway without signals, would you?

Much better they work with us than: "against us". I really do hope that they go and talk with the Germans.

>> Edited by 8Pack on Thursday 12th May 05:05

[streaky]

ledfoot said:

Neezer said: What about all the times they leave the 50-40 mph speed restrictions on when the hazard has passed? i.e fog/mist in early mornings clearing quite quickly. Unless the speed limit is in a red circle, it is only advisory.

The M42 Active Traffic Management (ATM) system provides this. Enforcement is provided by:

The M42 (Junction 3A to 7) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2005

This Statutory Instrument modifies the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982, S.I. 1982/1163 to allow ATM on the M42 Junctions 3A to 7.

It allows implementation and enforcement of Mandatory Variable Speed Limits; allows controlled use of the hard shoulder as an additional lane during certain circumstances; and defines the "Actively Managed Hard Shoulder" and "Emergency Refuge Area".

Streaky

[8Pack]

Does sound similar to a German type "control" system rather than a British "enforcement" system Streaky.

Aiding the flow of traffic sounds a much better option to me. Indeed, in Germany I've seen it in action.

The only trouble with the Germans is: they only have 2 lanes for at least 80% of their autobahns. If we tried, our Motorways could be far superior.

[bluepolarbear]

streaky said:

ledfoot said: Neezer said: What about all the times they leave the 50-40 mph speed restrictions on when the hazard has passed? i.e fog/mist in early mornings clearing quite quickly. Unless the speed limit is in a red circle, it is only advisory. The M42 Active Traffic Management (ATM) system provides this. Enforcement is provided by: The M42 (Junction 3A to 7) (Actively Managed Hard Shoulder and Variable Speed Limits) Regulations 2005 This Statutory Instrument modifies the Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982, S.I. 1982/1163 to allow ATM on the M42 Junctions 3A to 7. It allows implementation and enforcement of Mandatory Variable Speed Limits; allows controlled use of the hard shoulder as an additional lane during certain circumstances; and defines the "Actively Managed Hard Shoulder" and "Emergency Refuge Area". Streaky

The mandatory speed limit will still be enforced via electronic signs showing the speed in a red circle. As it has send before if it isn't in a red circle it doesn't count. That applies to the central reservation electronic signs normally showing "fog" in the summer and "max speed" signs attached to red traingle warning signs such as those on the M42 at J3A