The Department for Transport and the Highways Agency have decided to use the Small Business Research

  Initiative (SBRI) to explore the use of ‘synthetic environments’ (i.e. virtual reality) applied to transport. The

  technique is being used to model traffic flows on managed motorways, and the strategies used by traffic

  controllers to manage traffic in peak periods.  Maelstrom partnering with Risk Solutions is leading one of three

  teams charged with developing a prototype model.



  Active Traffic Management (ATM) on the M42 has shown how the ‘managed motorway’ approach delivers

  reduced congestion, better journey times and improved local air quality.  This is achieved by using measures

  such as opening up the hard shoulder and introducing variable speed limits at peak times.  Decisions made by

  the Highways Agency’s traffic controllers are crucial to the effectiveness of the approach.  The aim of the

  project is to understand better how traffic responds to measures used by controllers, and to ensure that the

  right balance is struck between minimizing average journey times and the need to avoid flow breakdown and

  the resulting traffic jams.

  Maelstrom is working with Risk Solutions and Dr Mark Young (a Human Factors expert from Brunel University)

  to develop a simulated version of the M42 ATM section.  This will replicate traffic flows under different conditions

  (traffic volumes, lighting and weather conditions) and show how vehicles react to measures employed by traffic

  controllers.  The aim is to produce a realistic prototype that will include a workstation similar to that used by

  controllers – including the ability to select CCTV images from any of the 200+ cameras located on the route

  and data displays on traffic volumes and speeds.  Controllers will be able to control flows onto the motorway,

  switch on hard shoulder running, display variable message signs and change the speed limit.  Simulated data

  will be used, but this could be based on traffic conditions on an actual day so that different ways of managing

  an emerging situation can be compared.

  Project due for completion May 2010 - detailed updates to follow.....(updated 02-02-2010)