Traffic delays across the UK have increased over the past year due to a combination of factors, including more people taking more journeys per week and expects have called on smart motorways to do more to tackle the issue.
Smart motorways have been a controversial subject in recent years, with major investments and safety upgrades taking place.
However, journey times on key routes have extended and experts are now questioning whether smart motorways are truly delivering the seamless journeys they promised to when first mooted.
Are Smart Motorways Creating Traffic Issues?
Evidence from research on smart motorways shows that there are specific points where traffic jams are occurring more often, suggesting that there are issues with the system.
They appear to be at the point where smart motorways connect with non-smart motorways, with the transition between the two causing delays.
Part of the issue is that while smart motorways manage traffic with variable speed limits, that stops when the roads transition into traditional motorways, which can lead to bottlenecks.
There are calls from some road safety campaigners for smart motorways to factor this in and do more to prevent bottlenecks as roads change, but there are currently no plans to implement those features.
But with congestion increasing over the last year, delays are increasing, and average journey times are reportedly increasing too.
The safety issue remains, too, with the removal of hard shoulders still being criticised despite the work to install refuge zones being completed on smart motorways earlier this year.
Part of the issue is that despite these refuge zones, a broken-down vehicle results in lane closures more often than not now, with drivers facing difficulties moving across lanes and reaching the refuge zones.
The Cost of Congestion for Fleets
For fleet operators, every minute lost in traffic is more than an inconvenience.
Extra time on the road means lost productivity, higher fuel costs and increased driver fatigue, which can have a real impact on road safety. Multiply that across multiple vehicles and journeys each week, the impact can be substantial.
Efficient route planning and real-time monitoring are more important than ever.
Understanding where the worst pinch points occur, and having systems in place to adapt when they do, can make a real difference in keeping journeys efficient and costs under control.
There are growing calls for a review into the performance of smart motorways, and for future investment to focus more on traditional road widening and junction improvements.
In theory, smart technology can improve traffic flow through variable speed limits and lane management. In practice, inconsistent designs and a lack of clear communication for drivers can cause confusion, hesitation and slower travel overall.
At Driving Monitor, we understand that congestion doesn’t just waste time, it also increases driver stress, journey length and accident risk – our Risk Monitor and Telematics Monitor tools give fleet managers real-time oversight of journeys, helping to reduce delays, identify emerging risks and keep drivers safe and compliant.
Do you think smart motorways are helping or hindering Britain’s road network? Let us know…
