Making Better Use Of Motorway Space

[pdq1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21304298

It is proposed to use the hard shoulder so that 4 lanes are available on the M1. This method is being used on the M42 around Birmingham with mixed results. Will it work OK.

In the US primarily and also the Blackwall Tunnel in East London they alternate one lane for bidirectional traffic according to traffic flow. Wouldn't that be a better solution to the M1?

[Old_Geezer]

Never liked the idea. The hard shoulder is there for a reason. And if you use it up what happens when you need to expand again ? You have run out of slapdash quick fixes. Bidirectional may be a possibility depending on circumstances, but it also fades as a solution compared with providing the right number of lanes needed in the first place. Of course the real issue is the need to travel. Get employment local to people and that'd solve a lot.

[mushroom25]

the m42 scheme seems to work OK, but it relies on the control room operators managing the gantry signs - particularly important if there's a breakdown and the hard shoulder has to be blocked as a consequence.

the comments from the police in the link suggest that the m1 scheme is intended to be done on the cheap without the same level of management infrastructure - in which case it might well be more hazardous. a proper look at the exhibition might answer those questions.

tidal lanes is in operation on the aston expressway, but in order to undertake necessary switching without intensive labour requirement, there's no central reservation. if this were to be used on the m1, there'd need to be a permanent speed restriction of no more than 50mph.

[Teddio]

Keep the central reservation and crash barriers. Motorways are the safest way to travel per passenger mile.

[Toureman]

Should put up the accident numbers quite a bit as most accidents happen on the hard shoulder rather than than on the motorway lanes!

[mushroom25]

it'll be interesting to see how this scheme is made to work at J34 (meadowhall) - Tinsley viaduct has been reduced to 2 lanes in each direction due to a weight restriction.

[Hopkirk]

What do you mean "it is proposed"?

It's already happening on the M1, at the southern end.

It works fine, just like the M42 trial area. It is currently being implemented in several other places, including the M25.

I drive for a living, and have no problem with it.