In a nutshell, they are what they say they are: motorways which are smart. In other words, they aim to reduce accidents on the motorway and keep vehicles moving smoothly through the use of use advanced technology and real-time traffic management systems. They're designed to improve the flow of traffic and reduce congestion on busy roads.
But just how smart are they?
Think of VAR (Video Assistant Referee) in the context of football. It's a great new technology which will improve the game, but it's bound to have some imperfections in its early stages and be, well . . . not so smart. It's the exact same thing with smart motorways.
Understandably, you probably have a lot of questions about them: how many types there are, what to do if you break down on them, whether they are really safer than normal motorways, and what fines you can expect to receive if you break the law on them.
And luckily, we're here to answer those very questions. So that the next time you're out driving in your lease car and find yourself on a smart motorway, you'll know exactly what to expect.
About Smart Motorways
The main aim of smart motorways is to reduce congestion and travel times, as well as reduce harmful CO2 emissions by not keeping vehicles crawling along in slow queues.
To achieve this, they make use of various technologies including overhead electronic signs, closed-circuit television cameras and variable speed limits which all help improve the flow of traffic and keep vehicles moving nice and smoothly.
A key feature of smart motorways is the use of overhead electronic signs, which relay important information to drivers such as the current speed limit and any traffic incidents that may be ahead. This helps keep you informed as a driver and better able to make safer, more informed decisions on the road.
Unlike smart motorways, what makes them 'smart' is that they are able to utilise cameras to adapt speed limits according to what's happening on the road ahead. They're highly responsive, using 'live action' technology to respond to congestion, roadworks, and accidents. They also have more speed cameras and can monitor different driving speeds. Cameras are notified of accidents on the motorway as they arise and speed limits are changed in real time. This means that instructions to drivers are often updated in response to developing hazards.
For example: suppose a camera notices an accident occurring further along the motorway. In response, speed limits leading up to that point will be changed to 50mph, reducing congestion around the crash site.
What are the Different Types of Smart Motorway?
There are three main types, each working slightly differently from the others.
What they all have in common though is the use of overhead gantries (the electric boards above the lanes) to advise drivers. For example, in the event of an accident or breakdown, a red 'X' may be displayed. This means you must exit the lane as soon as possible. Ignoring the red 'X' is dangerous and illegal.
Controlled
Controlled smart motorways are the ones most similar to the normal motorways we know so well. They feature a permanent hard shoulder but use technology such as variable speed limits to adjust traffic flow.
So not much of a different yet.
Dynamic
This is when we start getting really 'smart'.
Dynamic smart motorways are the same as controlled motorways except for the fact that the hard shoulder can be opened up at peak times and used as an extra lane. When this happens, the speed limit will be reduced to 60mph and indicated by the overhead gantries.
All-lane
All-lane smart motorways are the most different and the most 'smart'. These permanently remove the hard shoulder and convert it into a driving lane for use at all times. The hard shoulder is only closed to traffic in the event of a collision or an incident.
You could ask: instead of using the hard shoulder, why don't we just build more lanes? Well, that's simply because it would be more expensive and more hassle.
As we'll find out next though, all-lane smart motorways happen to be the most controversial type of smart motorways.
Are Smart Motorways Dangerous?
Critics of smart motorways, or all-lane smart motorways in particular, argue that removing the hard shoulder (either permanently or temporarily) is dangerous because it means that broken-down vehicles can't move out of traffic. It also makes it difficult for emergency vehicles to get through to the incident.
In fact, seven out of ten (68%) of those surveyed for the RAC Report on Motoring 2019 said that they felt removing the hard shoulder on motorways compromises safety. And figures quoted by the Commons' Transport Committee show that the number of deaths on motorways without a hard shoulder rose from 5 in 2017 to 15 in 2019.
But in saying that, it's important to note that the size of the network also increased. Furthermore, research into the first stretches of motorway converted to all-lane running smart motorways show that although the rate of fatal and serious injuries went up, overall casualties went down. And Highways England has published statistics from data gathered since the first smart motorway opened in 2006 to show that:
- Journey reliability has improved by 22%
- Personal injury accidents have more than halved
So there is conflicting data and it isn't totally conclusive either way. And because all-lane running motorways haven't been in operation for a particularly long time, there isn't a huge amount of data available. So only time will tell.
Can I Get a Speeding Fine for Not Following Variable Speed Limit Signs?
Yep, same as always.
If you're caught driving beyond the variable speed limit at any given time (it's usually displayed on an overhead gantry sign), you're breaking the law and could receive a maximum speeding ticket of £100, not to mention at least 3 points on your driving license.
If you see other drivers not obeying the limit, you're best not following their example. Don't give in to peer pressure. Reduce your speed and celebrate the fact that you, at least, will not be getting a speeding ticket.
Which UK Motorways are Smart?
The first sections of controlled motorway were introduced on the M25 in the 1990s.
As of April 2020, the smart motorway network covered 488 miles, with an additional 300 miles planned by 2025. These are mainly centred around London and the West Midlands (i.e., Liverpool, Manchester etc.). In fact, almost all of the entire route around London is made up of either controlled or all-lane running smart motorway sections.
You can find a map of all the smart motorway routes in England on the gov.uk website.
What Is an Emergency Refuge Area?
Located exclusively on all-lane running smart motorways, these compensate for the lack of a hard shoulder and offer safe areas for broken-down drivers. They are often painted orange for increased visibility and appear around every 1.5 miles.
You should only make use of an emergency refuge area in the event of an accident or breakdown. They are not to be used for you to make a rest stop, phone call or to use the loo.
And bear in mind that they're essentially just small lay-bys, so unlike in a hard shoulder, you can't build up your speed before re-joining the motorway. Instead, you'll have to contact the Regional Control Centre who will dispatch a Highways England Traffic Officer and/or set a red 'X' symbol above the leftmost lane to help ease you back onto the motorway.
What Should I Do if My Car Breaks Down on a Smart Motorway?
If you can do so safely, you should make your way to one of the emergency refuge areas described above.
If that isn't safe or possible, then you're best following these steps:
- Switch on your hazard warning lights.
- Exit your vehicle if it is safe to do so and wait behind the safety barrier if there is one (if you're stopped in the nearside lane, exit via the left-hand door).
- If it's not possible to do either of the above, then stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on and dial 999 if you have access to a mobile phone.
- Once aware of the incident or breakdown, the relevant highways authority should switch on a red 'X' on the gantry above the lane in order to stop traffic from entering it. Somebody should then come to assist you.
Smart Motorways: Yay or Nay?
Yay
- Promotes traffic flow
- Traffic levels monitored
- Easier and less expensive than widening roads
- Alerts you to hazards and queues ahead
- Emergency refuge areas compensate for lack of hard shoulder
Nay
- They don't necessarily reduce traffic or emissions
- Use of the hard shoulder can cause accidents and increase the time it takes for emergency vehicles to reach motorway incidents
The Verdict
You can see how smart motorways are still very much a work in progress. Some changes may of course be needed to improve them, and that's perfectly okay.
Transition periods in technological advancements are bound to involve issues and hiccups along the way. Ultimately, smart motorways haven't been around long enough to give us conclusive data, but the data which we do have does seem to indicate that they are making our roads (and you!) safer.
Whether you disagree with that or not, it is a fact that Britain's roads are changing fast and that smart motorways are probably here to stay. And it's up to you to keep up.
Stay smart, amigos.
FAQs
What is the point of a smart motorway?
The main aim of smart motorways is to reduce congestion and improve journey times by better managing traffic.
What is different about smart motorways?
Smart motorways are equipped with tracking technology to monitor different driving speeds. They also use traffic management systems and have more cameras than traditional motorways. Depending on the specific type of smart motorway, they may also allow you to drive on the hard shoulder.
Where are the current smart motorways?
Mostly in the north-west and the south-east of England (around London).
What percentage of motorways are smart?
Around 10% of the national motorway network is now made up of smart motorways. That number is only going to increase further over time.
Who do you phone if you break down on a smart motorway?
If you've actually broken down in a lane, then call 999. Or if you call through a motorway emergency phone, you'll be connected straight to the Highways Agency or the police.
How do you know if you're on a smart motorway?
Mainly due to the overhead gantry signs.
How fast can you drive on a smart motorway?
Like on any regular UK motorway, the national speed limit of 70mph applies, unless signs tell you otherwise.
What to do if you break down in the fast lane of the motorway?
Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt and hazard warning lights on. Call 999 immediately or press the SOS button in your car.