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M6 Smart Motorway
So what is this "smart motorway then"
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In simple terms, at times of high congestion the hard shoulder is brought into use as an extra lane, closely monitored by cameras. All lanes have variable speed limits, monitored by speed cameras. From my experience of other smart motorways, the system works very well.
I must admit I was very sceptical when they were first muted but I am prepared to eat my words.
I must admit I was very sceptical when they were first muted but I am prepared to eat my words.
The M42 was the prototype Smart Motorway, balders.
It's been going for a few years and works very well.
TWR is just worried that one of his angelic truckers will have a momentary lapse of concentration (probably whilst changing channels on his TV and eating his McMuffin) and wipe out some poor *** stranded on the hard shoulder.
It's been going for a few years and works very well.
TWR is just worried that one of his angelic truckers will have a momentary lapse of concentration (probably whilst changing channels on his TV and eating his McMuffin) and wipe out some poor *** stranded on the hard shoulder.
Dave, if you could see what the foreign drivers have in their cabs now ( apart from the blow up's ) it would open your eyes, Fax Machines & receiving Faxes whilst driving, the dreaded Mobiles for instructions, Excessive hours to meet dead lines / Delivery Times, yes there are overhead cameras, but that will not stop a HGV Getting a N/S/Blow out!! been there.
//a penny pinching tactic from agencies that won't provide the needed number of lanes. //
well not exactly. providing more lanes is incredibly invasive, particularly in urban areas, so the highways agency (as it was) are having to find other ways to increase capacity when widening schemes are blocked for environmental reasons.
well not exactly. providing more lanes is incredibly invasive, particularly in urban areas, so the highways agency (as it was) are having to find other ways to increase capacity when widening schemes are blocked for environmental reasons.
Sorry but I disagree.
Smart motorways do not have a hard shoulder at all.
The ones where the hard shoulder can be brought into use as a running lane are managed motorways.
Two different things.
In my view managed motorways are perfectly OK if run properly by the Highways Agency, while smart motorways are a dangerous cheaper option.
Smart motorways do not have a hard shoulder at all.
The ones where the hard shoulder can be brought into use as a running lane are managed motorways.
Two different things.
In my view managed motorways are perfectly OK if run properly by the Highways Agency, while smart motorways are a dangerous cheaper option.
//The ones where the hard shoulder can be brought into use as a running lane are managed motorways. Two different things. //
not according to this:-
http://
the 2 scenarios are one and the same thing, made "smart" by the technology that permits speed changes and lane management.
not according to this:-
http://
the 2 scenarios are one and the same thing, made "smart" by the technology that permits speed changes and lane management.
The use of the hard shoulder as a running lane in any circumstances is a disaster waiting to happen. Since the conversion of the hard shoulder to a running lane was completed on the M25 from junctions 5 to 6 I have seen two instances of accidents occurring where the motorway was completely blocked leaving emergency vehicles unable to reach the scene without a considerable struggle. On one occasion the carriageway in the opposite direction to the incident (the one I was travelling on) had to be closed to afford access for the blue lighters.
It will not be long before a serious incident occurs where the time taken for the emergency vehicles to reach the scene is so critical that loss of life will ensue. Another great idea dreamt up by idiots.
It will not be long before a serious incident occurs where the time taken for the emergency vehicles to reach the scene is so critical that loss of life will ensue. Another great idea dreamt up by idiots.
> It will not be long before a serious incident occurs where the time taken for the emergency vehicles to reach the scene is so critical that loss of life will ensue.
You mean like this, NJ:
http://
You mean like this, NJ:
http://
That’s certainly one consequence of temporarily converting the hard shoulder to a running lane, Ellipsis. The stretch I mentioned on the M25 has no hard shoulder at all. It has been permanently converted into a fourth lane. All it has is emergency lay-bys at fairly lengthy intervals. If there is an accident all for lanes come to a halt an there is no easy way for emergency vehicles to reach the scene.
> the Highways Agency revealed that almost a third of road users do not know what to do when a Red X sign is displayed
That's one problem scenario.
Another one is that somebody just doesn't notice/take in the Red X and uses the hard shoulder as a lane.
Another one is that Driver A does notice the Red X, breaks down and correctly uses the hard shoulder. While Driver A is broken down the Red X is removed, driver B ploughs up the hard shoulder and into Driver A.
Perhaps the sooner we have driverless cars, the better?
That's one problem scenario.
Another one is that somebody just doesn't notice/take in the Red X and uses the hard shoulder as a lane.
Another one is that Driver A does notice the Red X, breaks down and correctly uses the hard shoulder. While Driver A is broken down the Red X is removed, driver B ploughs up the hard shoulder and into Driver A.
Perhaps the sooner we have driverless cars, the better?
