Intelligent transport plan

Scotland’s first intelligent transport system will be switched on along the M90 next month.

It will create a dedicated bus lane and introduce variable speed limits which will be used during periods of congestion to smooth traffic flow, cut jams and make journey times more reliable.

SCOTLA ND’S FIRST intelligent transport system will be switched on along the M90 in Fife next month.

This key element of the Forth Replacement Crossing project is expected to launch on December 4.

It will create a dedicated bus lane and introduce variable speed limits which will be used during periods of congestion to smooth traffic flow, cut jams and make journey times more reliable.

The system features 17 new gantries linked to traffic sensors built into the road.

These will automatically detect the possibility of traffic jams and vary the mandatory speed limit to keep drivers moving.

This is the first time such a system will have been used in Scotland.

Similar “managed motorways” have been successfully implemented in England.

Transport Scotland is undertaking an information campaign for motorists in the build up to the launch.

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said the scheme was evidence of the Scottish Government’s strong track record of infrastructure delivery.

“The Forth Replacement Crossing continues to progress on time and on budget and I’m delighted that we can now begin to turn the ITS systems on to help manage and improve traffic flow and provide buses with a dedicated lane.

“A long with the park-and-ride facilities we have invested in at Halbeath, this will make travelling across the Forth by public transport an even more attractive option for commuters and more sustainable for the environment.”

Mr Keith added that with the new bridge itself still being built, the ITS would help with traffic management which will still be needed before the new crossing opens in 2016. The improvements to the M90 and M9 will open in phases.

A fter December’s launch in Fife, phase two for the M9 and M90 south will follow early next year.

On completion of the bridge in 2016, the ITS system will then extend over a length of about 13 and a half miles from M90 Halbeath junction in the north to the M9 Newbridge Junction in the south.

This will also include an operating regime for both bridges, catering for situations when high winds affect the Forth Road Bridge.

This phased opening will bring an end to two of the three main contracts let to build the crossing scheme.

F i fe IT S h as involve d the installation of ITS gantries on M90 between the A dmiralty and Halbeath junctions and provision for southbound bus hard shoulder running.

The M9 Junction 1a, including improvements at Kirkliston, a new west facing slip road onto the M9 and ITS gantries, is due to complete early next year.

Mr Brown urged drivers to familiarise themselves with the new system and more information can be found on FRCits.info.