m150107 M6 Junction 16 to 19 smart motorway...

Welcome

Smart motorwayM6 junctions 16 to 19

public informationexhibition

Highways England – Creative M150107

Smart motorway M6 junctions 16 to 19

Making the motorway betterWhat we are doing

We are improving the M6 between junctions 16 and 19. Introducing new smart motorways technology will:

• Reduce congestion and smooththe fl ow of traffi c

• Improve journey time reliability

• Support economic development in the region

The M6 between Birmingham and Manchester is a strategic route that forms part of the Trans-European Road Network (TERN).

The M6 is also part of the Highways England strategic road network connecting the Midlands, the North West of England, Scotland and Wales.

It’s good to talk

This exhibition will give you information about what we are planning, how technology can work to help the road user and what to do if you are involved in an incident on the motorway where smart motorways are in operation.

If you require any assistance or want to fi nd out more, please ask one of our members of staff and they will be happy to help.

LondonLondon

BirminghamBirmingham

ManchesterManchester

LiverpoolLiverpool

BristolBristol

PrestonPreston

CarlisleCarlisle

Newcastle upon TyneNewcastle upon Tyne

MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent

LeicesterLeicester

DerbyDerbyNottinghamNottingham

PeterboroughPeterborough

Southend-on-SeaSouthend-on-Sea

FolkestoneFolkestone

BrightonBrightonPortsmouthPortsmouth

PlymouthPlymouth

ExeterExeter

MiltonKeynesMilton

Keynes

OxfordOxford

ReadingReading

LincolnLincoln

NorwichNorwich

IpswichIpswich

LeedsLeeds

YorkYork

Kingston upon HullKingston upon Hull

GrimsbyGrimsby

M5

M4

M40

M40

M1

A1(M)

A1(M)

A1(M)

A1(M)M1

M25

M25

M3

M27

M3

M11

M54

M50

M6

M6

M6

M6

M62

M62

M6

M1

M5

© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100030649

Areas in blue are current or planned smart motorways on the Highways England network



Capacity

An objective of smart motorways is to improve journey time reliability. To achieve this on the M6 between junctions 16 and 19, we will be adding extra capacity by converting the hard shoulder to a permanent additional traffi c lane.

Vaiable speed limits

We will also use variable mandatory speed limits to improve the fl ow of traffi c at particularly busy periods of the day. You will fi nd more information about these features on some of our exhibition boards.

Improved traffic fl ow

The number of respondents who felt that use of variable speed limits would improve traffi c fl ow remained constant at 52% in 2012-2013 and 2013-2014.**National Road Users’ Satisfaction Survey (NRUSS) Advanced Reports, 2012-2013 and 2013-2014

Improving journey time reliability

Smart motorways - all lane running

All illustrations and photographs used in this exhibition are for illustrative purposes only



Congestion costs the economy

Congestion is estimated to cost the economy £2 billion per annum, with traffi c levels forecast to grow 46 per cent by 2040. Highways England recognises that effective management of congestion is needed, together with smarter use of our motorway network.

Encouraging investment

A functional transport system is important to encourage economic growth. If our roads are congested it impacts on businesses and can discourage investment. Reducing congestion, removing major bottlenecks and improving journey time reliability will help businesses in the area to be more effi cient.

Signifi cant benefi ts

Smart motorways deliver signifi cant benefi ts for the investment made because of the way they work. They have many advantages over conventional widening schemes, one of these being that for every £1.00 spent, £4.00 worth of economic benefi ts are expected.

Reducing costs

Smart motorways can be introduced without the need to take large amounts of land. They can also be delivered at up to 40 per cent cheaper than traditional widening schemes. We work closely with our supply chain to maximise effi ciencies throughout the design and construction process.

Supporting economic growth

Smart motorways have been found to improve traffi c fl ows and journey times



Looking after the environment

All of our construction works will be located within the existing highways boundary. The M6 junctions 16 to 19 scheme has undertaken an environmental assessment that covers a range of topics including noise, air quality, ecology, cultural heritage, water quality, drainage and visual impacts on the landscape. The results are presented in the environmental assessment report. The overall conclusion of this report is that the environmental impact of the scheme is not signifi cant. The full report is available on Highways England’s M6 junctions 16 to 19 scheme website.

Ecology

Surveys for protected species have been carried out. Great Crested Newts were identifi ed within ponds adjacent to the scheme. To ensure their habitat and life cycle remains protected during construction, mitigation work will take place under a licence granted by Natural England. A number of badger setts have been identifi ed within and around the highways boundary. Any works likely to disturb badgers will also be undertaken under a licence granted by Natural England.

Noise

We will be working to mitigate noise where possible. Consideration has been given to a range of measures such as the installation of noise barriers and environmental vegetation barriers, for example trees and shrubs.

Resurfacing of the carriageway will be completed with low noise surfacing. This work will be completed as part of the construction programme for the scheme.

Landscape and views

Any changes to the visual landscape will be minimal for most residents. The project will be re-using existing road gantry signs and siting new signage away from residential properties where possible.

Environmental assessment

Highways England contractors undertaking an environmental assessment



Conception

The fi rst controlled motorway opened on the M25 in 1995 and led to an improvement in traffi c fl ow. It was the success of controlled motorways that led to the M42 between junctions 3a and 7 becoming the fi rst section of our network to test hard shoulder running during peak periods in 2006 to increase capacity on the existing network.

The use of the hard shoulder

Data from the M42 showed a 22 per cent1 improvement in journey times, with accidents reduced by 55.7 per cent2. The schemes that followed on the M6, M62 and M4/M5 near Bristol operate as controlled motorways until busy periods when additional capacity is needed. Traffi c is then directed to use the hard shoulder.

All lane running

Highways England then opened the next development of smart motorways on the M25 between junctions 23 to 25 and junctions 5 to 7. These feature all lane running: the permanent conversion of the hard shoulder to an extra traffi c lane. The latest smart motorways feature four lanes open to traffi c supported by variable mandatory speed technology and incident detection. Emergency refuge areas are spaced at regular intervals along the carriageway.

1 ATM Monitoring & Evaluation, 4-Lane Variable Mandatory Speed Limits – 12 Month Report (Primary & Secondary Indicators), 30/6/15

2 M42 MM Monitoring & Evaluation – Three Year Safety Review, 2011

The evolution of smart motorways

Smart motorway emergency refuge area and superspan gantry showing speed limits (for illustrative purposes only)



The smart motorwayUsing technology to help you

The design of smart motorways - all lane running is not fundamentally different to the existing road network that does not have a hard shoulder. However, it has the added advantage of providing technology to detect and monitor traffi c fl ows on the network.

This is coupled with messaging systems able to communicate instructions to drivers, such as lane closures or speed limits. When used together, they create a controlled environment that leads to safe and more reliable journeys with smoother traffi c fl ows.

low noise surfacing

signs

new gantries

new signals

new CCTV cameras

concrete barriers

emergency refuge areas

message signs

traffic monitoringloop sites

technology ductingunder carriageway ducts



Where is the smart motorway?

20

19

76

5

16

17

18

A533

A533

A530

A534

A534

A500 A500

A500

A536

A537

A538

A537A556

A556

A556

A5020

M6

M6

M6

M6

M6

M56

M56M56

A34

A34

A34

A34

A34

A53

A54

A54

A51

A51

A51

KnutsfordKnutsford

ManchesterManchester

NorthwichNorthwich

MiddlewichMiddlewich

SandbachSandbach

MacclesfieldMacclesfield

CongletonCongleton

WilmslowWilmslow

Holmes ChapelHolmes Chapel

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent

CreweCrewe

ShawingtonShawingtonNantwichNantwich

© Crown copyright and database rights 2015 Ordnance Survey 100030649

Exhibition venue locationsOur exhibitions are being held in both Sandbach and Middlewich Town Halls.

Lane closure signsWhen lanes are closed, signs in the verge or above the carriageway will display a red X to indicate which lanes cannot be used.

Speed limit signsSpeed limits will vary and willbe applied at times ofcongestion, to prevent stop -start conditions. Signs in theverge or above thecarriageway will advise thecurrent speed limit. If nospeed limit is shown thenational speed limit applies.

SignsSigns will advise you of anylane closures and will provideinformation on roadconditions such as severeweather.

Accident

Lanes closed

All lane runningThis scheme will have no hard shoulder between junctions 16 and 19. There will be four lanes permanently open for use by road users. Emergency refuge areas will be available.



What if my vehicle breaks down

As part of the smart motorway scheme on the M6 we will be constructing new emergency refuge areas at regular intervals between junctions 16 and 19. Drivers whose vehicles break down should try to drive to the nearest emergency refuge area, exit slip road or Sandbach or Knutsford motorway service areas. If a vehicle breakdown occurs in a live lane we set signs and signals on the overhead gantries until assistance can reach the driver. Once in the emergency refuge area drivers are encouraged to use the emergency telephone which will automatically pinpoint their location to the Highways England Control Centre.

Highway England can help you

Depending on the situation the Control Centre operator can send a Highways England Traffi c Offi cer or recovery vehicle to the driver, or advise the driver’s recovery service. We have further information and advice on preventing breakdowns and what to do if your car breaks down on our network on the Highways England web site.

Emergency refuge areas

Remember to use the emergency telephone as this automatically pinpoints your location



Changing speed limit signs

One of the key features of smart motorways is variable mandatory speed limits. These speed limits displayed on the motorway come into operation when traffi c volumes increase and the sensors activate lower speeds. Reducing speed during peak demand decreases stop-start conditions and allows traffi c to move smoothly.

It’s the law

The variable mandatory speed limits are clearly displayed on signs mounted either above each lane of the carriageway or on verge mounted signs which are clearly visible. The introduction of variable mandatory speed limits requires legislation in the form of regulations made under Section 17(2) and (3) of the Road Traffi c Regulation Act 1984. These regulations allow vehicle speeds to be controlled through the smart motorway scheme during periods of congestion.

Variable mandatory speed limits

Super span gantry with speed limit signs

MS4 with speed limit sign



Procedures for smart motorways

Incidents can be detected by using traffi c queue detection loops in the road surface that are linked to verge mounted CCTVs, or calls from the public via emergency roadside telephones and mobile telephones.

Where appropriate, signs and signals will be set to clear an access route for emergency vehicles. The signs and signals can then be set to protect the incident and the back of the traffi c queue.

The Regional Control Centre continues to monitor traffi c conditions throughout the duration of each incident to ensure that the signs and signals set remain appropriate to the conditions.

The Regional Control Centre is responsible for setting signs and signals to facilitate the re-opening of the carriageway and the safe dispersal of trapped or congested traffi c.

Incident management

Incident detection

Incident protection and clearing Incident cleared and smart motorway re-opened

Emergency service on scene1

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