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

Impact Likelihood Major Traffic Collisions Ice and Snow Pandemic Influenza Fuel Shortage Inland Flooding Heat Wave / Drought Coastal 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 LEEDS with 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