Journey reliability on A9 is core need for freight and logistics industry
Wednesday 28 January 2015
In response to Transport Scotland publishing the first set of data illustrating how speed cameras have influenced driver behaviour on the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness, the Freight Transport Association has stated that journey reliability on the route is the core need for the freight and logistics industry.
Transport Scotland’s data on the A9 included:
- The camera system detected 298 vehicles exceeding the speed limit which warranted further action, this is less than 4 per day
- Overall speeding is down from around one in three drivers to one in twenty
- Examples of excessive speeding (10 mph+ above limit) are down by 97 per cent
- Journey times have increased in line with predictions
- Journey time reliability has improved
- Feedback from hauliers suggests a significant reduction in journey times for HGVs
Malcolm Bingham, FTA's Head of Road Network Management Policy, said:
“FTA is encouraged by the apparent improvement in driver behaviour through the introduction of the average speed cameras and HGV speed limit pilot which have clearly had an effect. Drivers moderating their speed has to be a positive contribution to road safety on the A9.”
FTA also stated that the report provided an important set of data that demonstrates that good road infrastructure benefits the economy in keeping transport costs in check.
Mr Bingham added:
“The A9 data indicates that coupled with the increase in HGV speed limits, journey times have lengthened slightly as was expected, but journey reliability on the road has improved and this is the core requirement for the freight and logistics industry. Interruptions to journey reliability increase costs for the industry and those have to be passed on to customers of the goods and services that the industry provides."
FTA Press Office
01892 552255
press.office@fta.co.uk
