Will collaboration stop us grinding to a halt?

For our national road network, the focus of the Coalition Programme for government is on fairness and sustainability – cracking down on revenue-generation from speed cameras and on rogue wheel-clamping firms; promotion of low-carbon alternatives to the internal combustion engine – high-speed rail, cycling and plug-in vehicles. Road pricing, other than for large goods vehicles, is firmly off the agenda.

We note, however, that the document is largely silent on the substantial portfolio of major road improvement programmes that is currently hanging in the balance. We think that the new Transport Secretary needs to declare his hand soon on whether these programmes are to be given the green light before our road network, already operating in excess of its maximum capacity in many areas, grinds to a halt.

At PA Consulting we believe that a major opportunity here lies in closer working between the Highways Agency, the arm of the Department for Transport (DfT) responsible for the motorways and major trunk roads, and the local highways authorities, responsible for the interconnecting network and urban roads.

Through closer operational working between the traffic management functions of these organisations, joint strategies and plans for controlling traffic including at special events and joined up provision of information to the road user - both before departure and en-route - we believe that substantial improvements can be made in the reliability of everyday journeys.

By taking a user-centric perspective on the problem of traffic congestion, rather than focusing on the network, there is much that can be done to optimise the existing infrastructure without major investment in widening schemes or expensive technology solutions.

To explore our latest thinking, develop fresh perspectives on issues faced by the transport sector or to discuss what the future may hold for you, please contact us now.