Barriers to Motorway Traffic Operations, and their Potential Solution

This paper reports on the progress of the ‘Platform Grant in Motorway Operations ’ project in the U.K, which addresses problems in the use of in-vehicle systems to aid motorway congestion and safety. The project is undertaking a number of scoping studies in order to: i) Develop and extend understandings of the fundamental processes governing traffic flow on motorways, through measurement and modelling, ii) Apply the understandings to assess strategies to alleviate identified problems in a range of scenarios, through the use of ITS technologies, such as ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) and Convoy driving, iii) Raise the awareness of the fundamental traffic processes, behaviour and opportunities for change with highway authorities, network operators and manufacturers. The five scoping studies will provide an in-depth understanding of motorway operations and includ