The development of a conceptual design for a basic controlled motorway solution

The Highways Agency continue to build upon the successful introduction of Controlled Motorway and Active Traffic Management solutions - evidenced by the recent announcement regarding ATM rollout. There are large sections of the Agency´s network where an advanced system of signalling, control and information would provide significant benefits in aspects of safety, journey time reliability and driver experience. However, there are also large areas of the Agency´s network that regularly experience congestion but where a Controlled Motorway or ATM solution in existing form would be inappropriate for reasons that could include cost, environmental impact and other aspects of suitability. As such, in parallel with ATM, the Agency have been developing the concept of a Basic Controlled Motorway System (BCMS). The BCMS uses an innovative configuration of roadside signals and devices to potentially deliver the majority of benefits of a Controlled Motorway System, whilst minimising the amount of infrastructure required. The concept has been agreed in principle by the DfT, and outline designs are now being produced for sections of the Agency network to allow a Cost / Benefit analysis to be completed and an outline business case to be produced.