The Highways Agency has opened a £160m National Traffic
Control Centre to give drivers up-to-date information on the state
of the motorway network.
The new centre has been made possible by consolidating the
systems and information generated by existing regional traffic
centres and national roadside infrastructure systems via a single
hub.
The centre is based near the M5 at Quinton, Birmingham, and
draws data from almost 4,000 road sensors and 700 CCTV cameras
around the country.
Using this information, as well as data from weather forecasts,
police forces, and existing Highways Agency databases, the Agency
will issue comprehensive information to allow drivers to plan their
journeys more effectively.
Drivers can access the information online and also via a 24-hour
automated phone line. Roadside information will also be provided to
drivers on electronic message boards.
