Inside Devon's new traffic control centre at rush hour
Today we’re focussing on what’s being done to keep traffic moving in Devon.
Reporter Andrew Kay has this morning been given exclusive access to the brand new state-of-the-art highway control centre, based in Exeter, to see how it operates during a busy morning rush hour.
Staff sit in front of an around 8-ft tall bank of screens showing traffic and weather information from across the county.
From the centre, which was based at County Hall until recently, staff can react to major traffic incidents and also watch traffic light phasings' to assess how well they are keeping traffic flowing.
The centre, in Sowton, monitors Devon’s roads 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and also oversees variable message signs on the county's roads.
The centre’s systems link to the county’s network of 35 roadside ice detectors at strategic locations in Devon.
Bosses say Devon has also been working closely with weather forecasting organisations to use the latest forecasting technology – route-based forecasting - that provides a 'more cost-effective approach to determine which parts of the salting network will need treating on each night of the winter'.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “The new control centre increases our resilience as it makes the most of remote web-based systems and provides our highways teams with the flexibility they need to respond to issues on our road network.
"It’s a great asset for the County Council to be able to monitor our highway network in order to help keep Devon moving.
“Last winter was relatively mild but whatever the elements throw at us this winter, the County Council is, as always, fully prepared.
"Our depots are stocked with salt and more of our frontline gritters have been upgraded for our gritting teams.
"Our teams are standing by to treat around 2,000 miles of Devon’s main roads on our primary and secondary salting network as and when they’re called upon, and if we do have a sustained cold spell then we also have the support of snow wardens to help their local communities.”