The Highways Agency is responsible for managing the motorway and trunk road network in England so that it operates in a safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally acceptable manner. Traffic flow on the network is likely to increase significantly in the next few years while, at the same time, the resources and space available to build and improve roads will be limited. The Agency must therefore seek to make the best possible use of the existing road network and contribute to the integration of all travel modes so that people and goods can continue to be moved as safely and efficiently as possible. One of the ways of achieving this is by introducing more sophisticated traffic control and information systems. This paper describes the structure of Regional Traffic Control Centres (RTCCs) which are being developed by the Highways Agency to improve its ability to manage traffic and provide travel information across the whole of its network. The paper explains how the Agency proposes to fund the project through the Government's Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and describes the industry-wide consultations which have taken place to help refine the proposals before the procurement process begins. Key issues which have emerged during the consultation are outlined and the next steps in the project explained. (A)
Abstract