M1 Variable speed limits

The request was successful.

Dear Highways Agency,

I would like to request information as to why variable speed limit signs were in operation at M1 from Junction 10 to 11 NORTHbound on 6th March 2013 at 8:03 hours.

What reason did the system see to activate the signs. When were they activated and when were they deactivated.

On that date, August 4th 2013 when had the system that controls variable speed limits last been maintained and what is the recommended maintenance period.

In addition will you please provide the law as to when these systems can be switched on and the motorway speed varied and who's decision to activate it is or are the systems automatic

Yours faithfully,

Mr Paul Andrews

FOI Advice,

Dear Mr Andrews

In relation to your below request please see the below link to the Highways Agency website regarding Variable Speed enforcement on Managed Motorways.

http://www.highways.gov.uk/our-road-netw...

I hope this will be of some assistance and answers the below questions for you.

Regards,

Nick

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Dear FOI Advice,

No your FAQ's do not answer my questions, the very reason I have sent this request under the FOI.

Please attend to my request for information within the 20 days required under the Act

Yours sincerely,

Mr Paul Andrews

Hackett, Nicholas,

2 Attachments

Dear Mr Andrews

 

Please see attached the information held regarding activation and
deactivation of the system in relation to the timings given in your
request.

 

With reference to why the signs were set, this was caused by the [1]MIDAS
loops detecting slow or stationary traffic at 07:21 for 60R, this was then
reduced to 50R at 07:38, and then returned to 60R at 08:54 (see attached
spreadsheet)

 

 

Please also find attached the policy document detailing the legal aspects
of the system.

 

Please contact me if you have any issues concerning this request. Our
internal review process is available at:

[2]http://www.highways.gov.uk/foicomplaints

 

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review, you have
the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a
decision. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at:

            Information Commissioner’s Office

            Wycliffe House

            Water Lane

            Wilmslow

            Cheshire

 

 

Regards,

 

Nick

Highways Agency FOI Team.

 

 

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.highways.gov.uk/specialist-in...
2. http://www.highways.gov.uk/foicomplaints

Dear Hackett, Nicholas,

Thank you for the information provided thus far, however you appear not to have provided as requested the information;

namely

On that date, 5th March 2014 when had the system that controls variable speed limits last been maintained and what is the recommended maintenance period.

Now that I am aware of the system that triggered the change to speed limits on the motorway on the day in question please provide the following;

1. calibration for all devices MIDAS on the junction in question, including Home offioe approval certification for the devices.

2. the signal interpretation from each functioning MIDAS signal device i.e what were they reading during the times stated.

3. The equation used to calculate 'congestion' and the speed restriction requirements

Yours sincerely,

Mr Andrews

Everard, John,

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Dear Mr Andrews

 

Please find covering letter from John Gallacher in response to your FOI
request plus associated documents.

 

Regards

 

John Everard, Team Executive
Highways Agency | Woodlands | Manton Lane | Bedford | MK41 7LW
Tel: +44 (0) 1234 796319
Web: [1]http://www.highways.gov.uk
GTN: 3013 6319

Safe roads, reliable journeys, informed travellers
Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.highways.gov.uk/

Dear Highways Agency,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Highways Agency's handling of my FOI request 'M1 Variable speed limits'.

Thank you for your latest response.

It would appear the data set you provided does not cover the period requested i.e it only seems to go upto about 7am, can you please provide the rest of the information requested.

Furtehr, the manual documentation you provided appears unsigned, do you have a copy of a signed document from the manufacturer.

Further, you say that this system 'does not need Home Office Approval' - can you tell me who has approved the MIDAS system and provide that approval certification.

Finally, you say that the system was last maintained in 2012 as per the schedule. Can you please provide a copy of the maintenance schedule focusing on the junction speechified.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/m...

Yours faithfully,

Mr Paul Andrews

This is an automated response:
 
Thank you for your email to the Highways Agency.
 
If you are reporting a real time incident which requires immediate
attention please call the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123
5000.
 
The Highways Agency is responsible for operating, maintaining and
improving the Strategic Road Network in England on behalf of the Secretary
of State for Transport.  This consists of the Motorway network and the
Major Trunk roads. A map of the roads for which we are responsible can be
found here
[1]http://www.highways.gov.uk/publications/...
 
If your email relates to an issue which is not on
the Strategic Road Network, for example a suburban, local or residential
road, you should forward your email to the relevant Local Authority who
should be able to assist you. You can find details of Local Authorities
using the search facility on the gov.uk website
at: [2]https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
 
If you email does relate to an issue with the Strategic Road Network it
will be passed to the relevant team within the Highways Agency and they
will respond to you within a maximum of 15 working days.
 
If you have made a request under the Freedom of Information Act your
request will be dealt with in line with our guidelines which are published
here: [3]http://www.highways.gov.uk/freedom-of-in...
 
Yours sincerely
 
Highways Agency Information Line

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

References

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1. http://www.highways.gov.uk/publications/...
http://www.highways.gov.uk/publications/...
2. https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
https://www.gov.uk/find-your-local-council
3. http://www.highways.gov.uk/freedom-of-in...
http://www.highways.gov.uk/freedom-of-in...

FOI Advice,

Dear Mr Andrews

 

Thank you for your request for an internal review relating to your request
for information regarding variable speed limits on the M1. Your request
was received on the 2^nd June 2014 and I am dealing with it under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000.

 

I have sought advice from colleagues regarding the points you have raised.
We always aim to deal with complaints within 20 working days of receipt.

 

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Chris, Freedom of Information Officer
Highways Agency | Lateral | 8 City Walk | Leeds | LS11 9AT
Web: [1]http://www.highways.gov.uk

Safe roads, reliable journeys, informed travellers
Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.

 

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Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or
recorded for legal purposes.

References

Visible links
1. http://www.highways.gov.uk/

FOI Advice,

8 Attachments

Dear Mr Andrews

Please see the attached response to your request for an internal review of our response to you of the 14th May 2014. I have handled the review under the Freedom of Information Act (2000).

Yours sincerely

Chris Barnes, Freedom of Information Officer
Highways Agency | Lateral | 8 City Walk | Leeds | LS11 9AT

Web: http://www.highways.gov.uk

Safe roads, reliable journeys, informed travellers
Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.

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Dear FOI Advice,

Thank you for your further information in which you state that 'compliance' is deemed to be complete in relation to TR2177H documentation.

This you state is a design documentation from the manufacturer of the system installed.

Has the Highway Agency got possession of a peer review for this documentation.

With thanks

Yours sincerely,

Mr Paul Andrews

Dear FOI Advice,

I have reviewed the documentation provided, it is incomplete.

You state in your letter that within ANNEX A is the information regarding the status messages from the MIDAS system on the day and time in question i.e the FULL DATA

I can confirm this has not been sent.

I can also confirm that Annex C through F is not legible, please recopy and resend.

Yours sincerely,

Mr Andrews

FOI Advice,

Dear Mr Andrews,

I respectfully disagree. I suggest you click on 'Download' instead of 'View as HTML' to view the whole spreadsheet.

In respect of your other points I will seek clarification with my colleagues and respond in due course.

Yours sincerely

Chris Barnes, Freedom of Information Officer
Highways Agency | Lateral | 8 City Walk | Leeds | LS11 9AT

Web: http://www.highways.gov.uk

Safe roads, reliable journeys, informed travellers
Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.

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FOI Advice,

6 Attachments

Dear Mr Andrews,

 

Please find attached rescanned copies of the documents requested in your
email of the 27^th June.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Chris Barnes, Freedom of Information Officer

Highways Agency | Lateral | 8 City Walk | Leeds | LS11 9AT

 

Web: [1]http://www.highways.gov.uk

 

Safe roads, reliable journeys, informed travellers

Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.

 

 

 

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FOI Advice,

11 Attachments

Dear Mr Andrews,

 

The MIDAS specifications were managed via a project specific change
control board.  I can confirm that the MIDAS specification TR2177 is
subject to change control within a peer review process as demonstrated
through change notes and customer change requests, examples of which are
attached (redacted in accordance with section 40 of the FOIA, as per
earlier guidance). These form the peer review methodology for TR2177.

 

My colleagues have also provided a more up to date document regarding
TR2177. Although much of the information will be repeated from the
document provided earlier we hope this document will be of use.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Chris Barnes, Freedom of Information Officer

Highways Agency | Lateral | 8 City Walk | Leeds | LS11 9AT

 

Web: [1]http://www.highways.gov.uk

 

Safe roads, reliable journeys, informed travellers

Highways Agency, an executive agency of the Department for Transport.

 

 

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