Are Smart Motorways Less Safe?

Smart motorways have been a topic of significant debate and discussion since their inception. They are designed to manage motorway traffic more effectively, increase capacity, and reduce congestion using technology and variable speed limits. However, concerns about their safety have persisted. This article explores whether smart motorways are less safe and what factors contribute to these concerns.

What Are Smart Motorways?

Smart motorways are sections of the road network that use various techniques to manage traffic flow. They typically involve the use of variable speed limits, hard shoulder running (using the hard shoulder as a regular lane during peak times), and active traffic management systems. The main types of smart motorways include:

• Controlled Motorways: These have three or more lanes with variable speed limits but retain a permanent hard shoulder.
• Dynamic Hard Shoulder Running: The hard shoulder can be opened to traffic at peak times to increase capacity.
• All Lane Running: The entire road, including the former hard shoulder, is used as a live lane for traffic.

Safety Concerns

The primary safety concerns related to smart motorways focus on the removal of the hard shoulder. This change can potentially increase the risk for drivers who break down or are involved in an accident, as there may be nowhere safe to stop. Specific concerns include:

• Breakdown Risks: Drivers who experience vehicle troubles have limited access to emergency refuge areas, which are spaced further apart compared to traditional hard shoulders.
• Confusion Over Signage: Drivers may misinterpret or fail to see variable speed limits and lane closure signs, which could lead to accidents.
• Emergency Response: Delay in accessing incidents due to reduced lane availability for emergency services.

Statistical Evidence

Several studies have investigated the safety implications of smart motorways:

• A report by the UK Department for Transport suggested that while certain types of smart motorways have shown a reduction in congestion-related accidents, the risk of collision on all lane running motorways has increased in some cases.
• The RAC Foundation pointed out that smart motorways might not be inherently more dangerous than conventional roads but highlighted that breakdown situations could present higher risks without a dedicated hard shoulder.

Government Actions

In response to the growing safety concerns, the UK government has taken steps to improve the safety of smart motorways. Some of these measures include:

• Increasing the number and visibility of emergency refuge areas.
• Improving signage and deploying more red X indicators to better inform drivers of lane closures.
• Enhancing the capability and coverage of technology to detect stopped vehicles more effectively.

Conclusion

While smart motorways offer potential benefits in managing traffic flow and reducing congestion, the safety concerns are significant and warrant attention. As technology evolves and further improvements are made, it is crucial to continually assess their impact on driver safety. Until more conclusive data is available, the debate on whether smart motorways are less safe is likely to continue.