Active Traffic Management

At MacDonald International, our people are the experts in Active Traffic Management (ATM).

Our team has developed a vast amount of experience and has become experts in estimating and risk analysis of Active Traffic Management. This has been achieved by teaming up with other ATM experts in the United Kingdom to work on over 20 Motorway projects throughout the country for the UK Highways Agency.

What is Active Traffic Management?

Active Traffic Management (ATM) is a scheme for improving traffic flow and reducing congestion on Motorways. It makes use of automatic systems and human intervention to manage traffic flow and ensure the safety of road users. Traffic is managed and controlled dynamically based on prevailing conditions. Using integrated systems and a coordinated response, both recurrent and non-recurrent congestion can be managed to provide improved roadway safety and throughput. ATM is currently being used on Motorways throughout the United Kingdom and Europe.

Active Traffic Management Techniques

Hard Shoulder Running - to use the shoulder as a travel lane during congested periods or to allow traffic to move around an incident. Benefit: to minimise recurrent congestion and manage traffic during incidents.

Speed Harmonization - to dynamically and automatically reduce speed limits approaching areas of congestion, collisions, or special events. Benefit: to maintain flow and reduce risk of collisions.

Queue Warning - to warn motorists of downstream queues (or backups) and direct through-traffic to alternate lanes. Benefit: to effectively utilise available roadway capacity and reduce the likelihood of speed differentials and collisions related to queuing.

Junction Control - to use variable traffic signs, dynamic pavement markings, and lane use control to direct traffic to specific lanes (mainline or ramp) based on varying traffic demand. Benefit: to effectively utilise available roadway capacity and manage traffic flows to reduce congestion.

Dynamic Rerouting - to change destination signs to account for current traffic conditions. Benefit: to effectively utilise available roadway capacity by redirecting traffic to less congested facilities.

Travel Time Signs - to provide estimated travel time and other condition reports and communicate travel and traffic conditions. Benefit: to allow for better en-route decisions by travelers.

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