M1 J32-35a 60mph through Roadworks trial

Presenters Lorraine Butler – Highways England Mal Bell – Costain Project Director Safety is number 1 priority. This has not changed due to these pilots, and we will only proceed with them when a scheme specific risk assessment has been carried out.

Agenda The background – why did we do it? The trial – how was it achieved? Safety is number 1 priority. This has not changed due to these pilots, and we will only proceed with them when a scheme specific risk assessment has been carried out.

There are three imperatives for Highways England Safety, Customer Service and delivery. When you consider these in terms of road works and the impact these have, customers regularly ask: 1) Why do we have speed limits when no one is working? 2) Why do we have speed limits that are the same throughout long stretches of road works regardless of the work that is going on? 3) Why do we have speed limits when work appears complete? Safety is number 1 priority. This has not changed due to these pilots, and we will only proceed with them when a scheme specific risk assessment has been carried out.

In March 2016 Jim O’Sullivan (HE Chief Executive) challenged Highways England and its supply chain to be more responsive to customers at/through roadworks. It was therefore agreed that in 2016/17 Highways England would pilot the below scenarios. Scenario 1 – Trial increasing the speed limit on the lead-in to, and exit from roadworks, from 50mph to 55mph or 60mph. Scenario 2 – Trial increasing the speed limit during pre-commissioning of new technology on ALR schemes. Scenario 3 – Trial increasing the speed limit from 50mph to 55mph or 60mph during a public holiday/weekend.

Agenda Programme Issues How we achieved it? Monitoring (TRL report) Lessons learnt

Location The trial was not to interfere with the current scheme programme so agreed that trial would be: Phased installation - J35 – 35a NB 3km J34 – 35 NB 4km

Programme First meeting Week 0 31 August 2016 Decision to proceed Week 2 14 September 2016 TTRO submitted Week 4 late September 2016 Trial commenced Week 10 07 November 2016 Trial completed Week 14 05 December 2016

Issues Is it safe? What evidence do we have – anecdotal? GD04 Risk Assessment Time to implement it TTRO (Temporary Traffic Regulation Order) – not standard, reduced time for approval Who is involved? Approvals – who signs off on it? Trial Delivery team, PSCRG, Project Board?

How did we do it?? Collaboration was the key Identify all key stakeholders Project team (HE/Costain/WSP) HE (RAID/OD/RCC/TOS/Traffic Orders) HE Supply chain (TRL) Project team supply chain (Traffic Management, Recovery, all subcontractors working within the closure) South Yorkshire Police Ensure all stakeholders are involved from the first minute and fully throughout identify issues early buy in to the challenge Monthly workshops Weekly telephone meetings Lead from the front – can do attitude

Issues Is it safe? What evidence do we have – anecdotal? GD04 Risk Assessment Time to implement it TTRO (Temporary Traffic Regulation Order) – not standard, reduced time for approval Who is involved? Approvals – who signs off on it? Trial Delivery team, PSCRG, Project Board?

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - trial design Baseline 1 & 2: Week 1 & 2: Week 3, 4 & 5 (week 5: ALR 60mph):

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - research questions? What is the impact of increasing the speed limit on the M1 Smart Motorway scheme from 50mph to 60mph on: Average vehicle speed? Average vehicle headway? The number of incidents? Journey times? Customer satisfaction?

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - average speed ALR Junction 34-35 Junction 35-35a

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - headway Headway increased slightly as the speed limit increased from 50mph to 60mph; however, this change was replicated at the control location suggesting that it was not a result of the increase in speed limit.

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - incidents The number of broken down vehicles showed no clear trend, suggesting that this was not influenced by the change in speed limit Seven collisions occurred during the monitoring although none contributable to speed limit ALR Junction 34-35 Junction 35-35a

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - incidents The number of reported incursions into the TM remained stable across the monitoring period. The number of reported TM maintenance activities was similar before and after the change in speed limit; however, this was relative to a decreasing trend at the control site. Junction 34-35 Junction 35-35a

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - journey time Based on the average speed and length of the links, it is estimated that introduction of the 60mph speed limit across the two links saved each customer, on average, 34 seconds in journey time.

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - satisfaction Participants reported being more satisfied when roadworks had a 60mph limit for at least part of the work zone (Scenario B). Feelings of safety remained relatively unchanged compared to roadworks with a 50mph limit throughout.

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - satisfaction The reduction in the proportion stating that the journey time was greatly increased in Scenario B suggests that implementation of a 60mph limit, even for part of a scheme, is perceived positively by the customer.

60mph on-road trial: M1 J32-35a - conclusions In summary, there is no indication that the 60mph speed limit had a negative impact on road user safety. The survey results suggest that drivers are more satisfied with 60mph speed limits through roadworks than 50mph, although there feeling of safety is unchanged

Lessons learnt Allow time for planning Sort out TTRO asap, build into original submission Increased monitoring of customers GD04 invaluable in assessing the risks Standard procedure to be used for all future schemes

Other on-road trials Highways England have also increased speed limits at other schemes including: A1 Leeming to Barton M5 J4a-6 M3 J2-4a (55mph trial site)

Thank You Any Questions