Popelka
Member Since: 31 May 2008
Location: Praha (Prague)
Posts: 2430
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NOpe his short, a bit on the rotund size and deff lacking in hair on head  Experience is a difficult teacher, because she gives the test first and then the lesson afterwards!!!!
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 25th Jul 2009 4:53 pm |
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DaveVX
Member Since: 15 Oct 2008
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 867
  
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the offcial line blah blah blah
The Highways Agency is committed to reducing traffic congestion and journey time reliability as set out in its Public Service Agreement (PSA) Targets. One approach towards reducing congestion is via better management of the existing road network.
The Highways Agency is responsible for authorising, on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport, the movement by road of Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AILs) over a certain size and weight. Movement of these loads can have a negative impact on congestion. The nature of these loads can range from wide heavy, objects such as electricity transformers or bridge sections, to lighter long loads, such as wind turbine blades.
As a result of their abnormal dimensions these loads can act to increase congestion levels through increased traffic queues behind the load. This is especially pertinent due to the fact that these loads can occupy any number of lanes and travel at lower than average speeds (heavy special order loads currently being restricted to travelling at 12mph).
There are between 300-400 Special Order permits and 700-800 VR1 wide load authorisations issued by the Highways Agency Abnormal Indivisible Loads (AIL) team annually. Additionally there are many thousands of STGO and C&U moves each year which the Police have some limited control over. The level of congestion that these loads generate is dependent on a variety of factors, specifically:
• Load speed
• Load width or lane take
• Effective capacity of passing lanes
• Ambient traffic volume
The ability to move abnormal loads at night would have a direct impact on the Highways Agency’s targets. However, variability in the Polices’ approach across force areas means a Haulier faces uncertainty when planning a route. There are also many operational and safety concerns that are presented in opposition when the Highways Agency request a Night Time Move.
Project Objectives:
TASK 1 To investigate the concerns of stakeholders relevant to the movement of abnormal loads at night. These stakeholders are to include the Police, Haulage Industry and Structure Owning Authorities.
TASK 2 To investigate the concerns of the stakeholders, and the benefits, costs and risks of moving abnormal loads at night.
TASK 3 To propose possible mitigation actions and agree with the Highways Agency Abnormal Indivisible Loads team a course of action that balances risks, costs and benefits. This will include a data collected on abnormal load lay-bys.
TASK 4 Explore and finalise the mitigation actions and implementation plans with all stakeholders.
Summary:
Transferring movements on the Highways Agency road network to night-time hours is predicted to bring benefits in terms of reduced congestion during the daytime and result in lower delay values that are used in the PSA target. Results suggest that most benefits can be achieved by rescheduling just a few of the loads, provided they are carefully selected.
There are a number of problems which would need to be overcome before the practice can be widely encouraged:
> possible increase in accident risk and severity,
> travel will generally not be permitted on local roads at night;
> roadworks information is not adequate for planning purposes;
> current visibility requirements are not adequate for safe travel at night;
> problems finding available lay-bys that are suitable for AILs;
> logistical issues
> increased working time and costs for hauliers.
if your really bored some more info here
>>>>> http://www.ha-research.gov.uk/projects/index.php?id=1143
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| 28th Jul 2009 9:50 am |
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