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Green light for traffic survey

 

Using the latest technology to survey and help change traffic patterns for the better.

 

This is the aim behind a major programme of traffic surveys, involving motorists, train and bus users, that is hitting the streets of Warrington.

 

The council has joined forces with the Highways Agency, Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), English Partnerships and Peel Holdings to bring about use of the latest technology - a Multi Modal Transport Model (MMTM) - to tackle traffic and congestion issues in the town.

 

WSP, an engineering and management consultancy that specialises in property, transport and environmental projects, has been appointed to undertake this innovative project. Before the model itself can be used, we need to identify current traffic flows and patterns.

 

For us to do this, we are carrying out an extensive traffic survey during the next two months or so. This includes roadside interviews with motorists and with bus and train passengers during their journey or supplying them with questionnaires to fill in later and return.

 

We are only asking for simple information including start and finish points, details of the journey and reasons for the journey.

 

Please be assured that every effort will be made to minimise any disruption to your journey and the interviews won’t take very long.

 

Anyone who does take the opportunity to get involved can feel reassured that the information collected will be treated in confidence and put to good use in developing transport schemes and improvements to benefit all residents and employees of Warrington.

 

WSP has appointed reputable transport survey companies to carry this out and their staff will all carry proper identification, which you can look out for or ask for.

 

The survey programme will also include:

 

  • Traffic count surveys
  • Automatic Number Plate recognition surveys undertaken at all motorway junctions around Warrington to establish the numbers of vehicles using the motorway for short distance movements to avoid congestion in Warrington.
  • Measurements of vehicle journey times – to show where delays occur due to traffic congestion and establish their severity.
  • Parking surveys to establish how many vehicles are using car parks in Warrington, how long they are parking for and to ask motorists some questions about their journeys to and from the car parks.
  • Counts and interview surveys at key rail stations in the borough.

All the information will then be fed back for use in the MMTM.

 

An MMTM is a computerised tool which provides information about current transport flows and movement patterns.

 

This information is used to forecast how these traffic flows and patterns could change in the future and to test possible improvement schemes and measures.

 

Cllr Alan Litton, Executive Board member for Environment Services, said: “I am extremely pleased that the council and its partners have been able start the development of a Multi Modal Transport Model.

 

“This is a vital piece of work, which will enable a wide range of transport improvements to be tested and prioritised. It will result in such improvements being prioritised and detailed business cases prepared, which will increase the chances of securing funding to deliver improvements to Warrington’s transport system.”

 

Ends

 

Editor’s notes:

 

For information about council services ring Contact Warrington on 443322 or visit the website at www.warrington.gov.uk

What is a Multi Modal Transport Model?

Computerised transport models have been used extensively since they first became available in the 1980s, to provide an accurate representation of current traffic flows and patterns.

 

 

This then allows the effects of a wide range of transport schemes and initiatives to be accurately predicted, such as the provision of a new road or bypass, changes to traffic management arrangements and also to predict the impact of traffic growth, both through increased development and regeneration and through other socio-economic factors such as increases in income and car ownership.

This new model will be used to prioritise schemes and measures to be implemented during the rest of the period covered by the Council’s Second Local Transport Plan (LTP2), which runs to 2011 and to inform the development of the Council’s Third Local Transport Plan for the period 2011 – 2016 (LTP3). It will also be used to help to inform the development of the Local Development Framework (LDF), which will succeed the current Unitary Development Plan as a land use plan for the borough.

 

WSP is one of Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary consultancies, offering an integrated design, consultancy and facilities management service in the property, transport and construction sector.  In particular, WSP has established a reputation for innovation in its approach to sustainable transport.  The Group provides advice to a wide range of public and private sector clients, promoting integratedsolutions to meet future travel needs. WSP is experienced in the creation of transport strategies in support of regeneration and development proposals, from first concepts through to delivery, management and monitoring.

 

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

 

  • Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
  • Matching skills provision to employer needs
  • Creating the conditions for economic growth
  • Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
  • Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life

The Highways Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT), and is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving the strategic road network in England on behalf of the Secretary of State for Transport. Its primary functions are to manage traffic, tackle congestion, provide information to road users and improve safety and journey time reliability, whilst respecting and minimising the adverse impact on the environment.

 

English Partnershipsis the national regeneration agency helping the Government to support high quality sustainable growth in England by creating well-served mixed communities where people enjoy living and working. 

 

 

We achieve this by unlocking and increasing the supply of land - particularly surplus public sector sites - to meet housing and other growth needs.  Through innovation and raising standards we help improve quality of life and enhance the environment.

 

In collaboration with the Housing Corporation, the Academy for Sustainable Communities and Communities and Local Government we areestablishing the new Homes and Communities Agency that will begin operating in 2009.

 

For more information on our work, please visitwww.englishpartnerships.co.uk

 

Peel Holdings is one of the UK’s leading property, transport and infrastructure companies with assets valued at over £5.5 billion. Within the North West key operational assets include the Port of Liverpool and Manchester Ship Canal, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, and The Trafford Centre. A number of beneficial urban regeneration projects are also being progressed throughout the Liverpool-Manchester Corridor as part of the ‘Ocean Gateway’ concept including Warrington Waterfront and Warrington Quays.

 

Issued by:     Joanna Driscoll, principal communications officer

Date:            2008

Release:        Immediate