Dynamic Speed Signs M4 J10 to J12

Background

Reducing journey times through roadworks is an important objective for Highways England but this often conflicts with road worker safety requirements during peak site activity.

As part of a Smart Motorways construction project, a 32-mile section of the M4 is being upgraded to increase capacity, reduce congestion, and enable shorter journey times.

Being able to increase the temporary speed limit from 50mph to 60mph when safe to do so could achieve a staggering time saving of 4,300 man-hours per day between junction 10 to 12 alone. This represents a significant benefit and allows both safety and journey time objectives to be met.

Solution

HRS have developed a Dynamic Speed Sign which can display 40, 50 or 60mph on a temporary, mobile TSRGD-compliant sign incorporating digital communication and Geozone mapping technology. Using this technology, Dynamic Speed Signs were assigned to the Eastbound and Westbound carriageways.

Once in place, the Dynamic Speed Signs allowed the desired speed limit to be set by either the TSCO or by CCTV operators, with speed changes taking just moments to complete via a secure mobile connection.

The system is self-monitoring which means that any potential issues are identified and resolved quickly.

Benefits

HRS’s Dynamic Speed Signs performed successfully between M4 junctions 11 and 12 since February 2020. Over 85 additional signs were deployed in December 2020 to enable 60mph running between junctions 10 and 12 throughout the 2020 Christmas period.
Site teams actively used the system during breakdown recovery and peak site activity.

Since Summer 2019, HRS’s Dynamic Speed Signs have been deployed on other SMP schemes: M6, M20, M23, and M62, enabling over 3,000 speed changes and making it possible to open additional lane capacity early thereby improving traffic flows.

In total, HRS’s Dynamic Speed Signs have operated for more than 1.5 million hours.

For more information visit www.highwayresource.co.uk or call us on +44 (0) 800 206 13 19