Overview
Background
The Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership (LRSP) has been dedicated to improving road safety across Lincolnshire since its inception. In a bid to modernise and enhance their approach to traffic management, the LRSP first started using TagMaster’s TrafficRadars in 2004. Recently, they upgraded to the latest versions and adopted a cloud-based system to streamline data collection and analysis.
Motivation for Adoption
Following a procurement exercise, TagMaster was awarded the contract based on the ease of use and advanced systems. The new model’s cutting-edge capabilities, combined with a cloud-based platform, offer an efficient and intuitive solution for monitoring and managing traffic speed and volume throughout the county.
Implementation & Adoption
Selection of Locations
The deployment locations for TrafficRadars were chosen based on a combination of requests from police officers, local councillors, and complaints from Parish Councils and residents. Additionally, current locations of camera enforcement were considered to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Initial Challenges
During the initial deployment phase, the LRSP encountered a few challenges. One significant issue was the performance of lead batteries, which occasionally failed to provide a full seven days of data. This problem was resolved by switching to lithium batteries, which have since provided reliable performance. There were also minor issues with setting up radars on roads with multiple lanes, but this was mitigated by focusing on single-lane setups where necessary.
Data collection & utilisation
Types of Data Collected
The TrafficRadars collect a variety of data, including:
– Speed and volume of traffic
– Average speeds
– 85th percentile speeds
– Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) data
– Speed bins
Identifying Problem Areas
The LRSP uses this data to identify roads and areas with high traffic incidents and speeding issues. The collected data enables them to pinpoint specific problem areas that require further intervention, such as traffic calming measures or enhanced enforcement.
Measuring Success
While the LRSP does not measure the success or impact of TrafficRadars directly in terms of road safety and traffic flow, the data collected is crucial for determining further actions. This proactive approach helps in addressing issues before they escalate.
Impact and Results
Although the TrafficRadars are not used directly for measuring improvements in speeding complaints, they provide valuable data for evidence-based interventions. Neighbourhood Policing Sergeants use the data to demonstrate speeding issues at Parish Council meetings, helping to allocate resources more effectively. Lincoln County Council also uses the cloud-based data to determine necessary speed limit reductions.
Summary
In summary, the integration of TagMaster TrafficRadars has enabled the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to effectively address speeding complaints, identify problematic roads, and implement necessary safety measures, thereby enhancing overall road safety across the county.
