M50 to become ‘smart highway’

A SERIES of improvements to the M50 motorway have been earmarked under an enhanced roads investment plan unveiled by Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, last week.

The busy motorway will benefit from funding under a Capital Plan Review process that will see an additional €486 million spent on the country’s  roads over a four-year period from 2018 to 2021.

With this increase, the minister said an additional package of extra measures can now be implemented to include the improved management of the M50.

This will be accomplished through the use of variable speed limits, reduced energy usage for route lighting, minor improvement works and community involvement programmes together with the assessment of potential future projects.

 “I was delighted to secure such an increased allocation during the capital review process,” Minister Ross said.

“With this increase we are able to commence additional roads projects across the country.” 

The M50 will be designated a ‘Smart Highway’ through the use of ‘Intelligent Transportation Systems’ technologies that will monitor traffic conditions and display sign instructions and messages to reduce the impact of flow breakdown when congestion builds up.

 Using these innovative technologies, it is aimed to improve journey times by varying speed limits and providing messages on variable message signs (VMS) about traffic conditions further ahead.

Following the speed limits will reduce the need to brake suddenly in response to standstill traffic and reduce the number of “stops and starts” that take place along the M50.

The speed limits will be displayed on motorway traffic lane control signs located above each lane and fitted on existing gantries.

These traffic lane control signs can also display a red X to indicate that the lane below is closed.