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South East and London to be testing bed for £150m smart motorway innovations

Roads in the South East and London are to provide the testing bed for £150m-worth of new technology trials that aim to make the UK’s motorways smarter.

Driverless cars, wi-fi connected road corridors and radar detection technology are just some of the innovations that are due to be tested on motorways and roads in London, Surrey and Kent as part of Highways England’s innovation strategy.

The report, published today, outlines how £150m will be spent until 2021 on testing new and innovative ways to improve the nation’s roads, bringing benefits to drivers and unlocking economic growth.

Trials at Hindhead Tunnel in Surrey will see radar and acoustic technology utilised to improve breakdown detection, continually monitoring traffic and notifying control centres instantly about any stationary vehicle.

Meanwhile, trials on the A2/M2 between Kent and London will see wi-fi road corridors wirelessly transmitting information to specially adapted vehicles, which can then transmit journey information advising road users to change lanes or try alternative routes.

With traffic predicted to grow between 27% and 57% by 2040, the government is hoping the trials will lead to more efficient roads and lessen pressure on the UK’s congested motorways.

Roads Minister Andrew Jones said: “Innovation is absolutely critical to our £15bn investment plan for roads. A more reliable road network is good news for motorists and good news for the economy.

“Quicker, safer roads will improve access to jobs and opportunities. Placing Britain at the forefront of innovation and research in this area will also create more jobs and investment.

Highways England Chief Executive Jim O’Sullivan added: “We’re committed to using innovation to benefit the millions of journeys made on England’s Strategic Road Network today and in the future.

“We will work with our partners in the supply chain, technology specialists and the automotive industry to trial new technologies that will help make journeys on our roads safer, more reliable and better informed.

“This will involve supporting trials of better connected and autonomous vehicles on our motorways by the end of next year, testing radar technology to better detect breakdowns, and trialling fuel price signs on the M5 between Bristol and Exeter.”

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