Highways England 'considering findings' of CCTV stopped vehicle trial

19/01/2021 | CHRIS AMES

Highways England has met a pledge in its Delivery Plan to carry out a large-scale trial of a CCTV-based alternative to its existing stopped vehicle detection (SVD) system.

The news follows concerns that stopped vehicles in live lanes remain highly vulnerable on all lane running ‘smart motorway’ schemes and an admission by Highways England’s chief engineer that radar-based SVD, which the company is committed to installing across its smart motorway network, is only effective in low flow conditions.

This week a coroner concluded that the operation of a smart motorway all lane running scheme had been a contributing factor in the deaths two drivers on the M1 in 2019. It also faces a possible prosecution over an earlier incident involving a female car passenger.

The action plan for the Government’s evidence stocktake on smart motorways noted that Highways England had run a small-scale trial of a system that analyses CCTV images. It stated: ‘As a result of this evidence stocktake, Highways England will launch a large-scale trial of this technology.’

The company’s 2020-25 Delivery Plan subsequently stated: ‘We will also complete, by December 2020 a large-scale trial of a system that analyses CCTV images.’

A spokesperson told Highways: ‘We committed to completing a trial of a system that analyses CCTV images as another option alongside stopped vehicle detection by December 2020. We have completed this and are now considering the findings.’

The Delivery Plan added: ‘The trial will identify the viability of using our CCTV coverage on smart motorways to provide another option alongside stopped vehicle detection.’

Highways England has confirmed that this refers to its existing ‘pan tilt and zoom’ CCTV cameras and that one of the issues with this is that these cameras do not cover all of the motorway all of the time.

Despite being labelled ‘smart’, most all lane running sections of motorway (where the hard shoulder has been removed) rely on CCTV coverage to detect stopped vehicles, as well as ‘MIDAS’ sensors that detect when other traffic has slowed.

Highways England’s own data has shown that it can take an average of 17 minutes to detect a stationary vehicle in a live lane.

This month the company began the first project in a programme to retrofit radar-based SVD across its network by March 2023. This system is currently in operation on two sections of the M25 and on a recently opened smart motorway section of the M3, a retrofitting scheme that predated the stocktake.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2090e

£27,711 - £28,624
We are looking to recruit a friendly and motivated candidate to join our Highways Maintenance Team as Highways Network Technician. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW