Better coordination 'could cut congestion'

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A committee of MPs has said greater use of real-time information systems and better co-ordination between road management authorities could cut road congestion.

The transport select committee also recommended tougher driving tests and a new free Highway Code smart phone 'app' in its report Out of the Jam.

Committee chair Louise Ellman said congestion could cost the UK economy £22bn per annum by 2025.

"Improving the way we manage road space so that the network runs more smoothly is vital to the prosperity of the nation," she said.

"Pursuing this challenge should form a key plank of central government transport policy.

"The department for transport cannot simply devolve all responsibility for managing the road network to individual highway authorities.

"These organisations have a key role and duty for managing their local networks, but the DfT should actively support them in working together closely to fulfil that duty.

"Ministers must also clarify who is responsible for warning road users about impending congestion and work with the transport industry and authorities to increase the availability of such information to drivers through greater use of existing, successful 'intelligent traffic management' systems across local authority boundaries."

The MPs said much more can also be done to improve co-ordination between highway authorities and organisations undertaking street works to ensure local authorities use the best available technology to co-ordinate their road or traffic management activities with other highways authorities.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology(IET) submitted information to the committee on road congestion.

It has called on the government not to cut investment in intelligent transport system technology (ITS).

Professor Phil Blythe, Chair of the IET transport policy panel, said: "One of our concerns is that there are not enough trained professionals within some local authorities who have the necessary experience, understanding, and capacity to make informed decisions surrounding the adoption of ITS systems and services that could make significant savings and benefits for the area.

"Moreover, lack of regional co-ordination causes local authorities to procure systems for their area, rather than considering larger cross-local authority procurements that could derive greater benefits.

"Roads do not end at local highway authority boundaries."