Ramp metering for M62 junction

M62

The Rochdale junction of the M62 is to have a 'ramp metering' system installed in a bid to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.

Testing on the traffic control system, which is on the westbound carriageway, will begin this month.

The new system will be going ‘live’ in the autumn following several weeks of calibration and testing. Generally, the lights will only operate around peak periods when the main motorway carriageway is particularly busy.

The system is designed to better regulate traffic joining the motorway by allowing vehicles out in batches.

Congestion often occurs near junctions where vehicles attempt to join from the slip road when there is already heavy traffic on the motorway. By releasing just a few vehicles at a time, the lights prevent cars from bunching together and forming a bottleneck that delays everyone.

Sensors in the road monitor the congestion and adjust the timing of the lights. Traffic on the slip road is also monitored to minimise the possibility of queues forming on the local road network.

Highways Agency Technology Manager Keith Hill said: "This system is one of the innovative techniques being introduced by the Highways Agency to deal with congestion and journey time reliability by making the best use of our existing capacity. The system will allow traffic to join the motorway more smoothly and safely.

"We have seen the system work well where it has already been implemented on other parts of the motorway network. Motorists joining the motorway may have a few seconds delay at the slip road lights, but there will be an overall benefit for all motorway users.

"To ensure the system works effectively, it is essential that fine-tuning of the control software is carried out in the first week of operation. Motorists may experience some delays while this work is carried out."