In planning for this next phase of work, traffic simulation technology has been used to model the local area and assess the potential impact on traffic for road users through temporary traffic lights and road closures with diversions.
The modelling showed that the solution which resulted in the least disruption was to carry out construction using road closures with two diversion options. These diversions will allow traffic flow to be quicker and more reliable than waiting to get through multiple sets of temporary traffic lights.
The tables below shows the anticipated journey times associated with the different phases and scenarios for traffic management:
Anticipated journey times for each travel option
Closure at Jetty Marsh/Whitehills Cross
| Scenario | Via A382 | Via A382/B3193 | Via A383 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Average time | Average speed | Length | Average time | Average speed | Length | Average time | Average speed | |
| Whole scheme on traffic lights | 4.6 km | 26 minutes | 7 mph | 14.4km | 18 minutes | 30 mph | 12.0km | 13 minutes | 34 mph |
| Normal closure | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14.4 km | 31 minutes | 17 mph | 12.0 km | 13 minutes | 34 mph |
| Digital closure with VMS | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14.4 km | 29 minutes | 19 mph | 12.0 km | 13 minutes | 34 mph |
Closure at Forches Cross
| Scenario | Via A382 | Via A382/B3193 | Via A383 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | Average time | Average speed | Length | Average time | Average speed | Length | Average time | Average speed | |
| Whole scheme on traffic lights | 4.6 km | 26 minutes | 7 mph | 14.4km | 18 minutes | 30 mph | 12.0km | 13 minutes | 34 mph |
| Normal closure | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14.4 km | 22 minutes | 24 mph | 12.0 km | 13 minutes | 34 mph |
| Digital closure with VMS | Closed | Closed | Closed | 14.4 km | 20 minutes | 27 mph | 12.0 km | 13 minutes | 34 mph |