The implementation of the Traffic Management Act in England: The role of technology

Abstract

For several years, UK transport policy has discouraged the construction of additional road space in order to meet the rising demand for road travel. Increasingly, Local Traffic Authorities (LTAs) in England instead look towards technology and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) for maximising the efficiency with which they use their road networks. The aim of this paper is twofold. Firstly, it provides a perspective on how English LTAs are using and planning to use ITS. Primarily, the recent UK Traffic Management Act influences these new strategies including the types of technology they are choosing. Findings are presented from some research carried out with a variety of English LTAs examining their use of and opinions concerning technology and ITS. A case study is then provided on how one English LTA (Surrey County Council) is deploying ITS to help meet its new obligations. Conclusions are then drawn on the efficacy of setting central policy to influence LTAs in this manner.