Smart Motorways: A Smarter Way to Travel or a Road to Ruin?

Smart motorways are a hot topic in the UK, sparking debate and raising questions about their effectiveness and safety. This post aims to demystify smart motorways, exploring what they are, the government’s rationale behind them, and the ongoing discussion surrounding their pros and cons. 

What are Smart Motorways? 

Unlike traditional motorways with a permanent hard shoulder, smart motorways use technology to manage traffic flow and increase capacity. They employ a variety of methods, including: 

• Variable Speed Limits: Displayed on overhead gantries, these limits are adjusted based on traffic volume and incidents to maintain a smoother flow. 

• Dynamic Hard Shoulder: On some smart motorways, the hard shoulder can be opened to traffic during peak hours, effectively creating an extra lane. This is known as a “dynamic hard shoulder” or “all-lane running” (ALR) motorway. 

• Emergency Areas (EAs): These are designated lay-bys spaced at intervals along the motorway for vehicles that break down or experience other emergencies. 

• CCTV and Monitoring: Highways England monitors traffic flow and incidents using a network of cameras and sensors, to keep traffic flowing. 

The Government’s Aim: 

The government’s primary objective in implementing smart motorways is to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, and increase capacity on busy stretches of motorway. The idea is to make better use of existing road space, rather than building new roads, which can be costly and disruptive over long periods. They argue that smart motorways improve journey times and boost the economy by facilitating smoother and more efficient movement of goods and people. 

Pros of Smart Motorways: 

• Increased Capacity: Opening the hard shoulder as a running lane during peak congestion increases the motorway’s capacity, particularly during peak hours. 

• Improved Traffic Flow: Variable speed limits can help to smooth out traffic flow and reduce stop-start conditions. 

• Reduced Journey Times: Theoretically, by managing traffic more effectively, smart motorways can lead to shorter journey times. 

• Less Disruption than Road Widening: Smart motorways are presented as a less disruptive and cheaper alternative to widening existing motorways. 

Cons of Smart Motorways: 

• Safety Concerns: The removal of the permanent hard shoulder has raised significant safety concerns, particularly regarding breakdowns and emergency stops. There are worries that drivers may not be able to reach an EA in time, putting them at risk of being hit by other vehicles. 

• Confusion for Drivers: Variable speed limits and the dynamic hard shoulder can be confusing for some drivers, leading to uncertainty and potentially dangerous manoeuvres. 

• “Ghost” Hard Shoulder: Even when the hard shoulder is open to traffic, debris and other hazards can accumulate there, creating a risk to drivers. 

• Increased Stress: The lack of a permanent hard shoulder can increase stress and anxiety for some drivers, particularly those who are less confident or have experienced breakdowns in the past. 

Current UK Smart Motorways (Examples): 

• M25 (various sections) 

• M1 (various sections) 

• M6 (various sections) 

• M4 (sections near London and Reading) 

Smart Motorways in Progress/Planned: 

Consult Highways England’s website for the most current information on planned and ongoing smart motorway projects.  

The Debate Continues: 

Smart motorways remain a controversial topic. While the government emphasises their capacity and traffic flow benefits, concerns about safety persist. It’s crucial that drivers understand how smart motorways operate and take extra precautions, like knowing the locations of EAs and what to do in case of a breakdown.  

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of smart motorway performance is essential to ensuring they achieve their intended goals and, most importantly, are safe for road users. The discussion about the best way to manage traffic on our busiest roads is far from over.