Highways England Unveils Plans To Digitise The Road Network
Tuesday, 24. July 2018
Highways England has announced that it is falling into line with the EU proposition to digitise the road networks thus setting a single standard of road networks that would stretch from the UK across the rest of Europe. Through sensors and wireless tech the network will be able to communicate and interact with individual cars.
Informing drivers of traffic delays ahead, temperature, road surface conditions and will even be able to inform and direct emergency services to accidents. According to Auto Express here are a few of the things planned:
- Road sensors installed in studs or railings to convey messages to cars and help steer autonomous vehicles in future.
- Big Data will help to predict traffic movements, prevent congestion from building up and warn drivers in individual cars to take another route. I thought that could be done already!
- Potholes could be detected at once as the road would be able to report damage. Currently, patrols go out every few weeks to check for damage.
- Sensor Tech could make it possible for heavy goods vehicles to ‘Platoon’. This allows lorries to travel in tight formation with fewer drivers saving fuel.
- Self-repairing roads are something else that Highways England is currently trialling. This would reduce roadworks and costs.
- Road charging would be possible with connected roads. This has already been suggested as a replacement for the road fund licence.
Sounds quite amazing! By Graham Hill
