Traffic website allows coach crews to check data on the move

With some coach firms planning for a particular busy summer, the Highways Agency is promoting its latest journey planning tools to help fleet managers and on-board crew check the road is clear ahead.

The Agency, which manages England's motorways and strategic trunk road network, uses a vast array of technology to monitor live traffic flows. It then re-broadcasts the information to road users to help them plan their journeys.

The latest addition to a suite of services provides access to live traffic data from a web-enabled mobile phone.

Highways Agency Customer Solutions Director, Simon Sheldon-Wilson says: "For a coach industry dedicated to getting its customers to their destination on time and in comfort live traffic data can be an extremely valuable tool. Now, more than ever, the information is available to help you avoid the queues or re-plan your journey."

He says the new mobile-friendly version of the Highways Agency website is particularly suited to the coach tourism industry, allowing drivers to check conditions when taking a break or a co-driver or other crew member can safely check the route ahead during the journey while the driver keeps his or her eyes on the road.

By keying in highways.gov.uk/mobile crew members can get up to the minute details of any incidents or delays searchable by region, motorway or A-road.

Companies can access even greater levels of traffic data back at base, where the fleet manager can plan schedules.

The Highways Agency main website highways.gov.uk/traffic provides free public access to the information handled by the National Traffic Control Centre, including incident details, weather, average speeds and planned roadworks. The site even allows users to 'read' all the motorway variable message signs and see the view from thousands of CCTV cameras. An easy to navigate map displays all the motorways and trunk roads picked out in different colours to show where they are flowing freely and where there is any congestion.

Professional users such as coach operators can apply for free access to the Highways Agency's AtlasPro website. This gives further detailed information on the live traffic situation and allows companies to define their own areas of interest, such as regular routes or specific touring areas.