Institution of Mechanical Engineers responds to Highways England’s Strategic Road Network Initial Report

Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport and Manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to Highways England’s Strategic Road Network Initial Report:

“The way in which we travel is changing, so influencing demand for journeys is one of the most sustainable forms of transport planning. Highways England rightly identifies that we need to invest in our roads against a backdrop of increasing demand, but fails to consider how to harness technology to avoid unnecessary travel and, in particular, avoid travelling during the morning and evening peaks. 

“A transport network that is over-burdened at peak hours and relatively quiet for much of the rest of the day is an inherently inefficient system. In a time of mass digitisation, our transport network has an opportunity to use these tools to improve the efficiency, robustness and design of our roads. Such information could then be used to prioritise investment schemes in a logical, evidence-based way that could then influence urban planning, addressing bottlenecks and areas of vulnerability.

“As Highways England looks to the future and identifies nine long-term trends across the areas of demand, infrastructure and vehicles, it also needs to provide more detail on the practical implications. Take the example of integrating driverless vehicles into the current transport network – we will need to standardise road signage and road markings to enable driverless vehicles to operate in the safest way possible.”