Off-slip GLOSA

This project aims to improve air quality in local communities by reducing the number of vehicle stop-starts (freight vehicles in particular) when leaving Highways England's Strategic Road Network (SRN), where vehicles are using inclined off-slips at signalised junctions and therefore hill starts are common. This proposal uses existing motorway junction traffic signal infrastructure and the mobile phone telecommunications network, allowing Highways England to make better use of existing traffic flow and communication systems to reduce the effects of poor air quality on health. The innovative use of existing infrastructure makes it easy to transfer and scale the implementation across multiple junctions. The main aim is to improve air quality, which is achieved through reduced emissions by reducing the number of times a vehicle has to stop and then restart. Secondary benefits of smoothing out traffic flow will be a reduction in fuel consumption and improved safety through the controlled junctions. The proposal employs a connected vehicle technique known as Green Light Optimised Speed Advisory (GLOSA), a system for informing drivers of the exact time traffic signals will change, providing a countdown and recommended speed to transition the signals without having to stop. The project is based on an award-winning system implemented in 2017/18 on an urban corridor, the A45 in the West Midlands. It will be delivered by Amey Consulting, who will provide overall project management, data integration and air quality analytics, along with their key SME partners: • Eastpoint, who will provide the in-vehicle App to inform selected drivers of traffic signal status audibly and visually, in a safe manner • Envirowatch, who will provide local environmental monitoring devices, installed around the junctions to measure the ambient air quality (and changes to it). The sensors will monitor nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). Envirowatch will also be trialing new low-cost particulate matter (PM) sensors • Nicander, who will provide integration to Highways England systems, for the trial with a stand-alone system for Regional Control Centre (RCC) use but with a migration path for integration with the CHARM system. We will also be engaging with local communities to understand their views on the performance of the project.