SWARCO helps cut congestion at Dover Port and local roads

SWARCO is playing a key role in a US$110 million traffic-management improvement scheme at the UK’s Dover Port The port handles nearly $155 billion of trade annually and saw record freight volumes of 2.53 million units in 2015, up 5% on 2014. It handles up to 17% of all UK trade so its efficient operation is essential.
September 29, 2016 Read time: 2 mins

SWARCO is playing a key role in a US$110 million traffic-management improvement scheme at the UK’s Dover Port

The port handles nearly $155 billion of trade annually and saw record freight volumes of 2.53 million units in 2015, up 5% on 2014. It handles up to 17% of all UK trade so its efficient operation is essential. The object is to control vehicles through a new freight-holding facility to remove 4km of backing up along roads leading into the town and port.

The Port has now created a 13-lane holding zone for 220 outbound heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), reducing the need for Dover Traffic Access Protocol (TAP), a so-called “rolling road” HGV queuing system on the A20 highway into town. It also greatly reduces traffic and delays within Dover town site itself.
337 SWARCO won a competitive tender by main contractor FM Conway to install 15 signs. Two signs direct HGVs into customs or the holding facility, depending on the level of traffic. The other 13 are positioned along a 57.5m gantry at the start of the holding facility, giving drivers information about which lane to enter.

Matt Smith, head of structures at FM Conway, said SWARCO worked to extremely tight timescales and programme changes to ensure the project was delivered on time and to budget.

The signs were made to order within three months and include more than 160,000 individual LEDs. The units had to meet the port’s exacting light emission standards to cater for its 24/7 freight needs and reduce light pollution at night.
Also as part of the contract, SWARCO installed its management software, giving the operator 12 settings that can be altered to suit traffic and port administration needs. The system has 65 traffic detection sensors with count in/out capability and barriers operated by a traffic-light system that mark the holding facility’s end.

Tim Waggott, the port’s chief executive, said that the Port of Dover is a crucial link of national and international importance. “That’s why we’ve invested millions in removing old buildings and installing new traffic-management technology and infrastructure to create even more freight-holding capacity.

Highway & Network Management

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Workzones benefit from new mobile speed enforcement technology
    April 11, 2012
    A variety of new technology for temporary speed zones during major highway projects across the globe is about to hit the market, while other proven systems remain in demand. Guy Woodford reports The D-Cam P is one of four new mobile speed reading products for temporary speed zones being launched this month by Truvelo. Deployable solely as a speed camera or at a red light intersection to monitor red light offences, the D-Cam P can also act as a speed camera on the green and amber light phases. The machin
    Read More
  • Developments in tolling technology
    February 27, 2012
    Jason Barnes reviews the last few decades and the future of tolling technology. Tolling and charging technology has evolved significantly over the last three decades and that evolution is perhaps best illustrated by reductions in or complete removal of impedances to physical progress. Once, it was customary for a driver to pull up to a barrier, make some form of cash payment to a human operative in a booth, and then wait for the barrier to be raised before proceeding. Humans were eventually complemented and
    Read More
  • Traffic control solution manufacturers win key project works
    September 26, 2013
    Traffic control system manufacturers have recently supplied some of their cutting-edge technology to major projects in Europe. Meanwhile, in southern Asia, another leading firm in the sector is helping reduce chronic traffic congestion in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta. Guy Woodford reports Solutions supplied by Siemens Mobility & Logistics (M&L) are helping the Rijkswaterstaat improve traffic conditions at the Coentunnel in Amsterdam, one of the most heavily used traffic arteries in the Netherlands, used
    Read More
  • Swarco Traffic launches Profectus to control school signs
    September 27, 2017
    Traffic technology specialist Swarco has launched Profectus, a system that allows local authorities to monitor and control the performance of school signs to improve safety. From a simple web browser interface, users can see when a sign is operating, check faults and change configuration for the master and slave signs. Fault notifications including failed LED displays can be sent via SMS or email; this reduces the possibility of a failed sign going unnoticed and potentially putting children’s lives at risk
    Read More

Highlighted Content