fta transport manager 2014. introduction the highways agency and the strategic road network risks to...
TRANSCRIPT
FTA Transport Manager 2014
Introduction
• The Highways Agency and the Strategic Road Network• Risks to resilience• Ensuring resilience during all types of severe weather• Encouraging the public to prepare for winter journeys• Transport Resilience Review• The future for the Highways Agency• Conclusion
What does the Highways Agency do?
• Maintain and operate the Strategic Road Network in England
• Value - £110bn
• One third of all traffic
• Two thirds of heavy goods traffic
Risks to resilience
• Major organised events• Serious traffic collisions• Natural hazards - severe weather, flooding• Serious crime – metal theft• Acts of terrorism – cyber attack• Protest action• Pandemic flu, salt shortage
Impa
ct
Likelihood
Major Traffic Collisions
Ice and SnowPandemic Influenza
Fuel Shortage
Inland Flooding
Heat Wave / DroughtCoastal Flooding
Metal Theft
High Wind / Gales
Suicide Incidents
Power Outages
Protests on SRN
Hoax Terrorist Attacks
HA Strike Action
Conventional Terrorist Attacks
Unconventional Terrorist Attacks
Loss of Telecoms
Major Industrial Accidents
Electronic Attacks
Animal Disease
Major Structure Failure
Reservoir Breach
Severe Weather
Planning for Severe Weather
• Severe weather plans• Tests and exercises• Incident de-brief process• National post winter season review• Implementation of improvements• Research and development
HA Winter Service Delivery
• 24/7 service – all network treated• We aim to keep completely open• 437 ‘pre-wet’ salt spreaders• 2 million miles and 250,000t salt in a typical season• 280,000t of operational salt at start of winter
What happens in Winter
• Weather stations and forecasts• Spreaders deployed ahead of
predicted freeze times• Timing critical• Snow clearance
Key Resilience Improvements
• Vulnerable locations• More efficient salt use and reserve stock • Improved communications• Crisis management approach
Severe Weather Communications
The Challenge – How to influence driver behaviour
Messages:
Be prepared – is your vehicle ready for winter?
Be informed – have you checked the latest traffic and weather?
Approach - website, VMS, radio, media, social media, partner organisations
Transport Resilience Review
Transport Resilience Review - Findings
• Transport networks responded well in the face of record breaking weather - but significant disruption in places
• Transport networks operating near, or beyond, capacity• Can’t protect all networks all the time• Maintenance a key factor – e.g. vegetation, drainage• Many common issues• 15 recommendations affecting HA
TRR - HA Strategic Road Network
Key issues for the Strategic Road Network:• Review risks of blow-overs and consider proposals to restrict
vulnerable vehicles at some locations• Improve wind forecast information and messages• Flexibility in use of VMS signs and wording of legends• Improve knowledge of drainage infrastructure• Review flood risk assessments
The Future of the HA
RESURFACE
80% of the network in
modern low noise materials
By 2021 we will…
CONNECTING LONDON, BIRMINGHAM, MANCHESTER
AND LEEDSwith a modernised Smart
Motorway Network
Completed and commenced planning for
a further 46 major projects (1278 lane km)
Seek feedback from
1000 customers every month
20%
SAVE a further 20%
in the cost of construction
IMPROVE TRAFFIC
FLOW
by tripling investment in PINCH POINT
IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES to £895m
£
By 2021 we will…
The Modernised Network
What this change means…
• Yes, more roadworks• More capacity• Longer term investment plans• Better value for money• Realign our business to the needs of our customers• Use emerging technology to provide enhanced traffic
information
Conclusion
• Robust resilience built on tried and tested plans
• Crisis management capability• Major investment in network• Better understanding of customer
and stakeholder needs
Table Discussion Questions
Full questions are on the tables. Topics covered:
1.Restrictions for certain vehicles on parts of the network that are particularly vulnerable to high winds?
2.Information needed by Transport Managers? Customer understanding of severe weather impact?
3.Improved wind forecasts? Information or guidance useful if high winds occur during a journey?
4.Research into tractive units on snow and ice - concerns if drivers were asked to raise the lift axle?
Thank You