Cross-border Organisation & User Requirements for Information Exchange Review

Overview

This workpackage investigates the potential for two VMS to be installed on the M5 southbound approach to the M5/M50 interchange. The M5/M50 interchange is a key decision point for traffic travelling to South Wales. The installation of these signs will offer the potential for strategic cross border information to be provided which can advise of the most appropriate route to South Wales. Provision of these VMS will also enhance the tactical control capabilities of the existing HA control offices located in Avon and Somerset and Worcester. The installation of these signs is not part of the COURIER project. TCC Co. will undertake the sign procurement and installation.

Again a key element of this workpackage will be the development of the institutional agreements required to operate the system. Discussion and agreement will require to be sought with key stakeholders in relation to the institutional, operational and design issues associated with the these signs. Liaison will be required with the TCC Co. the Police both in Wales and England and the HA. This workpackage shall:

• address and resolve any issues that key stakeholders may have with respect to M4C controlling strategic traffic movements between the M50 and M4 corridors which may have an impact on M5 traffic levels;
• develop principles and procedures for co-ordinating operations between M4C and the existing HA control offices located in Avon and Somerset and Worcester;
• agree traffic management plans for use on the VMS, including their message content, their priority in relation to local tactical plans and the conditions governing their implementation and removal, for example;
  • DON'T USE M50/A40/A449 - USE M4/M5
  • DON'T USE M4/M5- USE M50/A40/A449
  • DON'T USE M5- USE M50/A40/A449/SSC
  • DELAYS IN SOUTH WALES NETWORK
• agree on the road conditions / circumstances when, or at which times of the day, strategic VMS control will be available and/or permitted for M4C;
• undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the technical and institutional aspects of the workpackage.

Deliverables

The following deliverables will form the main out puts from this workpackage. Full details of their content and timescales for delivery can be found in the M5 VMS Workpackage Sub-Project Overview document (Deliverable No1).

Deliverable	Title	Description
1	Study Report	Document which identifies objectives, participants and deliverables of the workpackage, which identifies existing and propsed infrastructure and institutional issues and which examines phased implementation of cross boundary traffic management from manual settings, to automatic COBS/COBS setting, to response modelling.
2	Draft Memorandum of Understanding for Cross Border Operation	Document which defines stakeholders' roles and responsibilities and procedures for implementing cross-border control of VMS,including legends that can be set, when, by whom and their priority. All stakeholders shall approve this document.
3	Institutional Issues - TCC Co	Report summarising any possible interaction with TCC Co future operations. This will define the operational and institutional split of responsibilities between TCC Co and M4C.
4	Post Implementation Study	An evaluation of the operational effectiveness of the implemented system. This study would report on the performance of the signs/operational agreements and identify if any amendments to the agreements are required.