It looks like some smart motorways across England are going to be temporarily switched off, which is raising questions about driver safety and traffic flow. What’s the story behind this decision, and how will it affect your journey?
England’s Smart Motorways Are Being Switched Off – What It Means for You
By Arezki AMIRI
Published on 2 December 2024 14:35
Just to give you a heads-up, a few smart motorways in England are scheduled for maintenance, with key sections including parts of the M6, M25, and M23 affected. This maintenance, scheduled between 1 and 4 December, will temporarily disrupt some key traffic management systems, including vehicle detection and variable speed limit signs.
Disruptions to Traffic Management
From 1 to 4 December, certain systems on smart motorways will be switched off between 10:00 PM and 3:00 AM. During this time, technologies such as vehicle detection via cameras and radar, as well as real-time speed limit adjustments, will be inactive.
Drivers are advised to expect unusual traffic conditions, especially during the night. National Highways confirmed that these disruptions will impact sections of major motorways across the country, including parts of the M6 in Staffordshire and the M25 and M23 motorways.
“Smart motorways in all areas of the country will be altered between 10:00 PM and 3:00 AM,” a spokesperson for National Highways explained. However, there will be no full road closures during this period.
Ensuring Safety Despite Disruptions
To mitigate the impact of these outages, safety measures are being put in place. Traffic patrols will be increased, and CCTV monitoring will be enhanced. Additionally, speed restrictions will be imposed on certain stretches of road where necessary.
“Where needed, we have established plans and risk mitigation measures, including enhanced surveillance and traffic patrols,” the spokesperson added. These actions are designed to ensure that traffic flows as smoothly as possible and that the risks to drivers are minimised, even during off-peak hours.
The Technology Behind Smart Motorways
Smart motorways, which span around 300 miles (482.8 km) across England, rely on a range of technologies to improve traffic flow. The MIDAS system, which detects vehicles slowing down due to incidents, and more advanced radar technologies like Stationary Vehicle Detection (SVD), are vital for ensuring quicker response times in emergencies.
However, a report from Highways England revealed that only 18% of “all-lane-running” motorways are equipped with the SVD technology. This raises concerns about the reliability of the system, particularly on sections of road without these advanced sensors. The RAC has called for an expansion of SVD technology across the entire smart motorway network to improve safety and efficiency.