Congestion busting trial for M32 this month

The Bristol M32 will be trying out some new technology this May to help improve congestion and traffic flow.

The Highways Agency is installing ramp metering, to control the flow of vehicles joining the motorway on the southbound entry slip road at junction 1 of the M32. This will start during the last week of May.

Part time signals will automatically switch on during peak congestion. Though the signals are not completely operational, drivers will be expected to treat them as active and follow their instructions.

By releasing a few vehicles at a time this prevents the merging of traffic bunching up and forming queues. Traffic on the slip road will also be monitored to make sure it does not back up onto the road networks.

Highways Agency project sponsor, Sean Walsh, said: “As with all signal installations there is a period of testing required.  We would ask that our customers bear with us during this process, which could last for some time to ensure that reasonable congestion levels have been experienced. However we are confident that when the system becomes fully operational the benefits for the travelling public will become apparent.”

“The system is designed so the signals work part-time, during times of heavy traffic on the motorway. This could mean that they are  in operation for short periods, but during those periods of acute congestion they can have a major beneficial impact on traffic flows.
“The system has worked well where it has already been installed on other parts of the motorway network.

“Motorists joining the motorway may have a few seconds delay at slip road lights, but this short delay will benefit themselves and all motorway users by ensuring they can make their journeys safely and reliably”.

The new system is part of a nationwide project being introduced on 70 sites in England this year. It is currently being used to improve motorway congestion in the Midlands and North of England.