CONGESTION TOPIC GROUP Delivering the Highway Authorities Network Management Duty Steve Johnson Head of Network Management

Congestion Topic Group Background to Network Management Duty (NMD) Current Work The congestion task groups Other initiatives

Background to the NMD “It is the duty of a local traffic authority to manage their road network with a view to achieving, so far as may be reasonably practicable having regard to their other obligations, policies and objectives, the following objectives- Section 16 (1) of the Traffic Management Act states : (a)securing the expeditious movement of traffic on the authority’s road network; and, (b) facilitating the expeditious movement of traffic on road networks for which another authority is the traffic authority."

Network Management Duty DfT Guidance - November clauses

Network Management Duty - Guidance Primarily, the network management duty is about dealing efficiently with the traffic presented on the network – both now and in the future – and the various activities that are causing or have the potential to cause congestion or disruption to the movement of traffic. The duty to identify current and future causes of congestion and disruption, and to plan and take action accordingly

Network Management Duty - Guidance Identify locations where congestion occurs on a regular basis - establish the most likely reasons for this congestion. -identify where congestion likely to occur in future and potential action

Current Work Network Management Group Established April local office - central office Support Traffic Manager – Rob Smith Lead for TMA Compliance

Current Work Three main areas: 1.Managing the highway network for maximum benefit 2.Managing planned events (roadwork's) – minimise disruption 3.Dealing with incidents – travel information

Reducing the Impact of Congestion Incidents

Managing planned events Road-works and Street-works 70,000 work items per year Noticing & FPN’s Proactive co-ordination Events Information - Member Bulletin - ELGIN Residents Letters/Sign Boards

Managing planned events Combined National Grid Gas and Herts Highways work saved 5 weeks of lane closure Rickmansworth Road Watford

Managing planned events Albert Street, St Albans –EDF and Veolia Water connections to property –Saving 3 days of road closure Hitchin –Herts Highways and Veolia Water –Saving 5 days of traffic management

Dealing with incidents Weather Accidents Highway Defects Emergency response crews Set up traffic management Diversion routes

The congestion task groups Initially in Watford Identify scheme impacts and interactions Key representatives from different work streams Provide focus for congestion issues in area Support Network Manager in delivery of duty

The congestion task groups Covering 6 main towns: –Bishops Stortford –Hemel Hempstead –St. Albans –Stevenage –Watford –Welwyn Hatfield

The congestion task groups Key remit: –Provide focus for works in area –Undertake surveys –Identify solutions –Seek funding and opportunities for improvements

Other Initiatives Joint working with: –Highways Agency –Neighbouring authorities –Police / Emergency Services Network Review Permitting Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) – key part of NMD

HCC’s Responsibility Processes and procedures covering – 1) Network management procedures 2) Road space bookings system 3) Planned events 4) Incidents on the highway 5) Contingency plans 6) Road hierarchies and road groups 7) Parking controls 8) Forecasting future congestion 9) Communications with Police, other Authorities, PTEs, bus operators and interested parties 10) Consultations with road users Must produce information systems that are – 11) Map and time based 12) Capable of displaying real time information regarding events, incidents, works, skips etc 13) TIH compliant/compliant with legacy systems. Can ‘talk’ to other authorities, emergency services and utilities 18) Must provide real time information on likely disruption to a Public Website 16) Must liaise and share information with the Highways Agency and other authorities 17) Must share information with utilities; parity between HCC and utilities works 14) Must work closely and share information with the Police and other emergency services 15) Events - must work and share information with the Police, emergency services, event organisers and other parties Securing the expeditious movement of traffic on the authority’s road network and facilitating the expeditious movement of traffic on road networks for which another authority is the traffic authority’ Network Management Duty Guidance: Clause 9 Network Management Duty

Other Initiatives Information sources Real time information Manage the network – enhance road capacity Remote monitoring & control Preset interventions Information outputs Informed travel choice

Other Initiatives – Traffic Control Centre

thank you any questions