6.2.2 Network Management
Traffic and Network Management Strategies and Schemes
6.2.2.1 These range from area-wide strategies such as those being implemented to reduce congestion in town centres to single junction improvements aimed at improving throughput on an individual route. Local authority progress on meeting network management duties can be seen on the www.gmltp.co.uk website.
6.2.2.2 An example of a town centre scheme to improve traffic movement and minimise congestion is the Bolton Town Centre Transport Strategy. To date the Council has implemented infrastructure for parts of the future bus gyratory system on Deansgate, the lower end of Bridge Street and Knowsley Street. It is anticipated that the next phases on Bradshawgate and to the north of the Market Place on St Georges Street will be implemented in the current financial year. This has been supported by the introduction and changes to the operation of one way traffic systems in the town centre, for example on Churchgate (see Case Study 16 ‘ Bolton Churchgate ’). The gyratory works will be finished by the end of the LTP2 period, and the effect on congestion, bus patronage and pedestrian and cycle numbers will be reported subsequently.
Strategic Highway Network and its Efficient Management
6.2.2.3 All Greater Manchester Authorities now have designated Traffic Managers as required by the Traffic Management Act. They have been working well together and with the appointed GMPTE Traffic Manager to:
- manage the 15 congestion monitoring routes,
- develop a draft Greater Manchester Permit System for Streetworks,
- co-ordinate their approach to issues such as direction signing,
- develop a strategic network.
6.2.2.4 The proposed strategic network for Greater Manchester includes:
- All motorways and A class roads
- All other roads with more than 10,000 vehicles per day
- All roads with high frequency bus routes
- Routes to selected ‘important destinations’.
6.2.2.5 Discussions are underway between partners to resolve problems in strategic traffic management, including clarification of responsibilities.
6.2.2.6 The Highways Agency recognise the need for enhanced co-operation with Greater Manchester in managing the operation of both the local and strategic networks. Users of both networks do not perceive the boundaries between highway authorities and there is a real opportunity in Greater Manchester, with the M60 in particular, to ensure that in traffic management terms the local and strategic highway authrorties are operated with more of a common purpose.
Traffic Sensitive Streets
6.2.2.7 GMTU have been working on behalf of GM authorities to define the set of streets which meet the criteria laid out in the new code of practice arising from the Road and Streetworks Act. From this, a web-based register of traffic sensitive streets will be compiled, which will be accessible to all 10 authorities, enabling immediate access to the relevant information and efficient cross-boundary working.
Roadworks and Events Database
6.2.2.8 In response to DfT’s guidance on the network management duty, in 2006 GMUTC began the development of a central common database to hold information on road works and events throughout Greater Manchester that have a potential traffic impact. Information from the district street works management system will be input automatically to this system via data links from the district street works servers to the GM UTC database. This system also covers all maintenance works, schemes and events.
6.2.2.9 A mapping system has been established, based around the strategic network (see above). This system extends to the 10 authorities around Greater Manchester so that an exchange of data with all these authorities (as required by the TMA) will be possible. Warrington and Lancashire are already extremely interested.
6.2.2.10 At the time of writing, Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport and Trafford are connected. Work to expand the data to cover all maintenance works, schemes and events is still ongoing.
Regional Centre Transport Strategy
6.2.2.11 GMPTA/E, together with Manchester City Council, have developed a draft Regional Centre Transport Strategy. A key element of RCTS is the need to strike a balance between the need to achieve good accessibility by all modes, including the private car, and the needs and aspirations of pedestrians. In this respect, high quality public transport is a prerequisite for ensuring economic growth and its continuing competitiveness will be compromised without it. The RCTS provides a framework for delivering this and complements the Strategic Plan which sets out the spatial context for the city.
6.2.2.12 Through implementation of RCTS, Manchester City Council is seeking to deliver an enhanced transport network which will reduce congestion and improve access to the Regional Centre by sustainable modes at the sub-regional, regional and national level. Ensuring that the Regional Centre remains accessible to its workers and customers will consolidate the city’s economic position. Growing traffic congestion poses a threat to its continued growth and a key objective of the strategy is to remove transport as a constraint on future growth.
6.2.2.13 Traffic elements of the draft Strategy include capacity improvements to the Inner Relief Route and the Intermediate Ring Road to accommodate through traffic currently using key routes across the Regional Centre.
6.2.2.14 More detailed information on schemes and on the proposed implementation timetable is provided in the Regional Centre Transport Strategy Consultation Report.
Urban Traffic Management and Control Major Scheme
6.2.2.15 The GMUTC major scheme will work in tandem with LTP2 schemes to deliver efficient network management and congestion reduction. The scheme was approved in May 2007 and includes the following
- The implementation of adaptive signal control (SCOOT) in networks not already covered under district or bus priority schemes
- Introduction of a safer and more efficient traffic control system (MOVA) at isolated traffic signal sites that are not linked to the UTC main system.
- Continuing the renewal of obsolete traffic control equipment and introduction of new technology with safely and environmental benefits particularly at Pelican Crossings
- The migration of the existing UTC system towards a digital communications platform.
6.2.2.16 In line with this approach,
- During 2007/08 SCOOT works were undertaken on five main roads in Manchester and Trafford. A number of junctions and pelicans have been upgraded.
- 6 sites to have MOVA are being reconstructed in 2008/9.
- Work is progressing on the Communications Network, with three schemes being used to test the various different communications equipment currently available.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition Trials
6.2.2.17 Trafford and Bolton Councils, in conjunction with GMTU and GM UTC, are piloting the use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) in providing real time information on congestion levels. Bolton has invested Congestion Target Delivery Funding in the implementation of ANPR cameras along the A579 congestion target delivery route. They will enable the Council to get a better picture of where future congestion improvements can make a difference. This system can also help determine the extent to which signal timing changes have had a positive effect on travel times.
6.2.2.18 Further trials are being undertaken on the A56 in Trafford where work has commenced on the first phase of a scheme to provide improved journey time monitoring using ANPR cameras mounted above signal heads.
Management of the network for freight movement
6.2.2.20 The Greater Manchester Freight Quality Partnership (FQP) identified freight vehicle routing information as a key tool to avoid congestion and minimise environmental problems
6.2.2.21 The Greater Manchester Drivers' Freight Map was produced by the GM Freight Quality Partnership in 2005. It provides drivers with information on the most suitable network to use in order to access a range of freight generators and attractors. The map was fully revised in 2007/08 and published in July 2008.The Partnership also initiated a pilot exercise to establish the adequacy of signing from the strategic network to freight traffic attractors in Bolton and to cost recommended improvements. This resulted in an agreement that all Districts would consider the possibility of similar exercises, and Salford and Manchester have commenced work in their areas. (see Salford Annexe)
Decriminalised Parking and Bus Lane Enforcement
6.2.2.22 Contravention of parking regulations and use of bus lanes by inappropriate vehicles can both have a significant effect on congestion. We have been working to improve enforcement of these aspects.
6.2.2.23 Greater Manchester Authorities have been progressively adopting decriminalised parking enforcement regimes throughout the duration of LTP2. All districts have now committed to introduce decriminalised parking enforcement. The change in enforcement regimes has involved reviews of Traffic Regulation Orders and has enabled councils to target congestion ‘hot-spots’.
6.2.2.24 An example of this is in Tameside where decriminalised parking has been operating since May 2007. To aid traffic flows, particular attention has been given to strategic routes especially around peak times, to ensure that motorists do not park in specific locations and to ensure that all “signs and lines” are maintained to a high standard with any anomalies being quickly resolved. Parking attendants regularly attend schools where they are requested to do so. The issue of Penalty Charge notices, moving vehicles on and discussions with head teachers has resulted in fewer complaints and improved safety. Enforcement of bus stop clearways is carried out where there are clear markings showing that an area is designated a bus stop.
6.2.2.25 Manchester City Council, in particular, has been at the forefront of bus lane enforcement, using cameras to detect vehicles violating bus lanes. Its work has been recognised as best practice within Greater Manchester, using smart cars, mobile and fixed camera technologies. It has secured a 60-90% improvement in compliance levels. Further details can be found in the accompanying Greater Manchester's Progress in Meeting Network Management Duties document, which can be found on the www.gmltp.co.uk website.
6.2.2.26 However, there are still enforcement problems because councils do not have powers to enforce moving traffic offences or to use cameras for parking offences, and this activity is not a high priority for Greater Manchester Police.