Highways England has launched a £5 million integrated weather information system in conjunction with Civica to help enable improvement management of the country’s roads.
Developed by Civica’s digital solutions business IPL the system provides a single system for critical information on weather forecasts, road treatment plans and winter fleet data into a single system.
David O’Connor, weather information services sponsor, Highways England, said: “Severe weather always presents a challenge, but with Civica’s support we’re improving the user experience through access to consistent and comprehensive information, enabling us to deliver a world class service in relation to managing risk and the safety of the major road network and its users.”
The severe weather information service (SWIS) will help Highways England and its partners manage the risk of severe weather more effectively through improved access to dynamic real-time information, together with delivering technology-based efficiencies.
Steve Shakespeare, executive director for digital solutions at Civica, said: “The new system improves access to critical information to help Highways England to respond to weather conditions and ultimately reduce risk and save money by keeping the network safer and free flowing.”
The project also uses information from fleet data logging specialist Exactrak to provide real-time vehicle tracking and route navigation for drivers so Highways England can monitor all treatment activity carried out by the winter maintenance fleet.
Around 2,000 operational staff will have access to the SWIS from winter service providers, maintainers and control room staff to external parties. The system supports better planning, execution and recording of winter treatment actions, improved identification of weather events with a potential impact on the road network, and enhanced rectification of weather and winter treatment equipment faults.