New technology which issues wrong way warning alerts to drivers on motorways and dual carriageways is set to be trialled on roads in Scotland.
Intelligent transport systems provider Clearview Systems has been commissioned by infrastructure operator Amey to develop the wrong way warning road safety technology in response to concerns over drivers travelling the wrong way along ineffectively signposted motorway exits and slip roads.
Chris Keenan, General Manager for Scotland at Clearview, said: “This is the first time such a solution has been implemented in Scotland and we are proud to be the team to deliver it. By travelling the wrong way on these slip lanes drivers risk a head-on collision with motorists exiting the junction or driving into the path of three lanes of oncoming traffic if they reach the motorway carriageway. Our latest system detects vehicles incorrectly turning onto the slip road and uses Vehicle Activated Signs to flash a ‘no entry’ warning sign to motorists, instantly alerting them of their error. Since installing the system, we have recorded incidents of drivers travelling the wrong way at each of these sites, but fortunately turning around in time to avoid colliding with traffic coming at high speeds in the opposite direction.”
The wrong way warning system, which has already been successfully installed on the M9 slip road by Philpstoun, near Edinburgh, will be trialled further on additional junctions and sliproads around the Lothian region.
Tom Wallace, Amey’s Account Manager for the Scottish South East Trunk Road Unit, said: “When vehicles enter the trunk road network in the wrong direction it can lead to serious road traffic incidents, and has already caused fatal collisions. Standard signing and preventive measures do work in most locations, but we recognise that there are areas on the network that will benefit from enhanced solutions. We are delighted to have worked with Clearview to introduce new technology and to have implemented these enhanced safety measures in certain locations on the South East trunk road network. Our priority will always be to ensure the safety of the travelling public, and to implement effective and innovative solutions that offer enhanced protection for road users. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Clearview to provide further innovative safety improvements in the future.”
