PePiPoo Helping the motorist get justice Support health workers

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

Highways England incompetence
roythebus
post Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 12:55
Post #1


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 6,963
Joined: 19 Dec 2006
From: Near Calais
Member No.: 9,683



Driving home form work in the early hours of this morning clockwise round the M25, approaching the A12 junction the variable speed signs suddenly light up over all 4 lanes displaying 50 and "queue caution" warning. So I brake hard, I believe there's cameras at that location, and proceed at 50 along with the few lorries and other cars that were around at 0300. Next signs 50, then 40, 40, 40, then once beyond the junction National Speed Limit!

Of course, no sign of any congestion, no obstruction, nothing. Of course I then carried on at my usual motorway cruising speed, slow down for Dartford Crossing, then up to 60 beyond the bridge. Still very little traffic around, over the first interchange, all normal until the last variable speed which then suddenly displayed 50! Quite bizarre as the end of the variable speed section is about 200m beyond the matrix signs and reverts to NSL. It's odd that there's more variable speed matrix signs beyond the NSL towards the Swanley interchange and beyond!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
 
Start new topic
Replies (1 - 10)
Advertisement
post Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 12:55
Post #


Advertise here!









Go to the top of the page
 
Quote Post
stamfordman
post Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 13:02
Post #2


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 23,582
Joined: 12 Feb 2013
From: London
Member No.: 59,924



Maybe they were testing the signs.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
TMC Towcester
post Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 18:25
Post #3


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 3,074
Joined: 17 Nov 2015
Member No.: 80,686



I e-mailed them earlier asking why M1 J15-17 is still permanent 60 mph some 6 months after it was made Smart! I fear I know the answer, but await their reply with interest............
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
The Slithy Tove
post Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 21:15
Post #4


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 3,283
Joined: 5 Jan 2012
Member No.: 52,178



Nothing new, then. I have dashcam video of similar (J7-10) a couple of years ago. Speed limits up and down all over the place. Traffic very light (Sunday evening, 8pm) and no sign of any work/obstruction/hazard.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
andy_foster
post Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 23:01
Post #5


Member
Group Icon

Group: Life Member
Posts: 24,213
Joined: 9 Sep 2004
From: Reading
Member No.: 1,624



When signage is merely advisory*, not so much of an issue regarding testing. When the legal speed limit is whatever happens to be displayed, unduly reducing the speed limit just to test the system does not strike me as overly reasonable (in the Wednesbury sense or otherwise).

* Ignoring the "fact" that exceeding an advisory speed limit is likely to constitute careless driving according to the lying tossers honest and knowledgeable instrcutors at my SAC.


--------------------
Andy

Some people think that I make them feel stupid. To be fair, they deserve most of the credit.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
The Rookie
post Mon, 6 Feb 2023 - 08:20
Post #6


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 56,198
Joined: 9 Sep 2003
From: Warwickshire
Member No.: 317



QUOTE (andy_foster @ Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 23:01) *
Ignoring the "fact" that exceeding an advisory speed limit is likely to constitute careless driving according to the lying tossers honest and knowledgeable instructors at my SAC.

A nice time to raise when the matrix sign (old fashioned central reservation type) on the M42 displayed 80 for about a month!


--------------------
There is no such thing as a law abiding motorist, just those who have been scammed and those yet to be scammed!

S172's
Rookies 1-0 Kent

Council PCN's
Rookies 1-0 Warwick
Rookies 1-0 Birmingham

PPC PCN's
Rookies 10-0 PPC's
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
roythebus
post Mon, 6 Feb 2023 - 19:08
Post #7


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 6,963
Joined: 19 Dec 2006
From: Near Calais
Member No.: 9,683



And another one in the early hours of this morning , again M25 approaching the A12 junction. Single 50, next matrix back to NSL! Why?

I've emailed them in the past and just got bland non-commital replies.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
TMC Towcester
post Tue, 7 Feb 2023 - 06:56
Post #8


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 3,074
Joined: 17 Nov 2015
Member No.: 80,686



QUOTE (TMC Towcester @ Sun, 5 Feb 2023 - 18:25) *
I e-mailed them earlier asking why M1 J15-17 is still permanent 60 mph some 6 months after it was made Smart! I fear I know the answer, but await their reply with interest............


This is the reply:

We’re opening the upgrade of the M1 in three sections. The section between junction 13 (Milton Keynes south) and 4.2 miles north of Newport Pagnell Services is already fully open and running at the maximum speed limit of 70mph. The second section between 4.2 miles north of Newport Pagnell Services and junction 15 (Northampton) started its phased opening in September 2022. The third and final section between junction 15 (Northampton) and junction 16 (Upper Heyford) started its phased opening in November 2022. The second and third sections are currently 60mph but are due to be fully open to traffic, with the maximum speed limit of 70mph restored by the end of March 2023.

Although all four lanes are now open between junction 13 to 16 of the M1, the team are still carrying out some finishing works during night time closures. We’re installing low noise surfacing between junctions 14 and 16. This will be completed by mid-February 2023.

Once construction is complete, and before we fully open our motorway upgrades at national speed limit, we calibrate the technology which detects stopped vehicles. This means it is finely adjusted to suit the particular environment of the road where it has been installed. This can’t happen while the roadworks are in place. During this phase drivers can use all four lanes of the upgraded carriageway.

At this time, it’s the technology process which is being tested; it is not yet being used by our control room operators. Because of this the maximum speed limit during testing is set at 60mph. Mitigations are in place, such as dedicated monitoring of temporary CCTV to spot stopped vehicles and free recovery is provided. Once initial calibration shows the system is performing satisfactorily, we move into the next stage, during which the maximum speed is increased to the national speed limit of 70mph.


So, three months thus far to test technology? There's something badly wrong with their technology.....but we know that already!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
DancingDad
post Tue, 7 Feb 2023 - 11:14
Post #9


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 25,726
Joined: 28 Jun 2010
From: Area 51
Member No.: 38,559



M6 north is always my favourite...
Pull on at Junction 6.... invariably 60.
Gantries every few hundred yards.
Common to get 60, 50, 40, 60, 40 or some variation on the theme
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
roythebus
post Tue, 7 Feb 2023 - 22:20
Post #10


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 6,963
Joined: 19 Dec 2006
From: Near Calais
Member No.: 9,683



Speed limits are a bit ike the judges on the old "Come Dancing" when they ued to hold up cards with numbers on.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
mickR
post Tue, 7 Feb 2023 - 22:29
Post #11


Member


Group: Members
Posts: 7,235
Joined: 5 Jan 2007
From: England
Member No.: 9,919



QUOTE (roythebus @ Tue, 7 Feb 2023 - 22:20) *
Speed limits are a bit ike the judges on the old "Come Dancing" when they ued to hold up cards with numbers on.


I think Bruno Tonioli must be in charge at Highways
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 



Advertisement

Advertise here!

RSS Lo-Fi Version Time is now: Thursday, 28th March 2024 - 19:26
Pepipoo uses cookies. You can find details of the cookies we use here along with links to information on how to manage them.
Please click the button to accept our cookies and hide this message. We’ll also assume that you’re happy to accept them if you continue to use the site.
IPS Driver Error

IPS Driver Error

There appears to be an error with the database.
You can try to refresh the page by clicking here