Trials of technology that could wirelessly transmit the latest journey information directly to vehicles are to be undertaken on a strategic route through Kent under Highways England’s new Innovation Strategy.

The strategy – published this week – sets out details of how the strategic road network operator will spend £150M on harnessing new technology to help improve the experience of users between now and 2021.

Among its plans is a commitment to trial a ‘connected corridor’ – also known as a ‘wi-fi road’ – on the A2/M2 between London and Dover. A proposal for the corridor was also set out by Chancellor George Osborne recently as part of his Budget.

The route will see cars and infrastructure wirelessly connected, with drivers receiving news of advanced road closures or congestion warnings. Depending on the circumstances the technology could suggest changing lanes or taking an alternative route.

Highways England chief executive Jim O’Sullivan said: “We will work with our partners in the supply chain, technology specialists and the automotive industry to trial new technologies.”

The Innovation Strategy also includes a commitment to test driverless cars on motorways by the end of 2017 and to trial radar and acoustic technology to improve the way breakdowns are detected in the Hindhead Tunnel in Surrey.

Highways England will also look at improving the signalling of junctions on motorways to increase traffic flows, and investigate the use of sensors that could provide better information about the condition of roads, bridges and tunnels.

CIHT President Sue Sharland welcomed the launch of Highways England's Innovation Strategy. “Due to the prevalence of new technologies and innovation, the way transport systems are planned, designed, built, operated and accessed by users has changed beyond recognition over the last 20 years, and the pace of change is likely to accelerate,” she said.

“This Innovation Strategy outlines ways that Highways England will help to make us safer, save us money, reduce environmental impacts and give us better journeys. We at CIHT welcome this response to changing technology (and customer’s demands) and this is a great opportunity for our profession to connect with innovation in our sector.”

♦ This week has also seen the final phase of a £205M all lane running Smart Motorway upgrade open to traffic on a 32km section of the M1. The route between junctions 28 and 31 is the first Smart Motorway in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire.

The hard shoulder has been permanently converted to an additional running lane and variable speed limits will be used to maintain traffic flows.

(Photo copyright John Salmon and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)