Skip to main content

New traffic safety system at Dartford Crossing

From 13 June a new traffic safety system will be in use on the A282 (M25) northbound approach to the Dartford crossing tunnels. The system will identify and stop oversized vehicles or those carrying dangerous goods from entering the tunnels. It will also enable dangerous goods vehicles to be escorted through the tunnels safely and stop traffic in the event of an incident in the tunnels. Electronic message signs on the approach to the traffic safety system will provide drivers with information relating
May 22, 2015 Read time: 2 mins
From 13 June a new traffic safety system will be in use on the A282 (M25) northbound approach to the Dartford crossing tunnels.

The system will identify and stop oversized vehicles or those carrying dangerous goods from entering the tunnels. It will also enable dangerous goods vehicles to be escorted through the tunnels safely and stop traffic in the event of an incident in the tunnels.

Electronic message signs on the approach to the traffic safety system will provide drivers with information relating to road conditions and safety.

Signs on gantries over the carriageway will display variable speed limits to keep traffic flowing safely, dependant on the road conditions at the time. A red X symbol will show that a lane is closed because of an incident or people working on the road.

Additional electronic message signs will be used in the safety system to give instructions to goods vehicle drivers who have failed to comply with the size and content restrictions of the tunnels.

Traffic signals will be used to stop and direct oversized vehicles, or those carrying dangerous goods that are not approaching the tunnels in the correct lane. The signals will also be used to stop traffic in the event of a tunnel emergency. Red light camera enforcement will also be in use at the traffic signals.

Barriers will be used in conjunction with traffic signals to stop vehicles and enforce crossing restrictions when required.

Average speed camera enforcement will be in use at the Dartford Crossing. Drivers should drive at speeds appropriate to the road conditions and must not exceed the variable speed limits displayed.

Related Content

  • Ford invests in next-generation driver assist technology
    November 4, 2016
    In addition to the driver assistance systems already in use on its card, new technology being developed by Ford includes cross-traffic alert with braking technology to help reduce parking stress by detecting people and objects about to pass behind the vehicle, providing a warning to the driver and then automatically braking if the driver does not respond. Rear wide-view camera, on the in-car display, will offer an alternative wide-angle view of the rear of the vehicle. Enhanced active park assist will paral
  • Expert calls for high-tech traffic control
    November 29, 2012
    A leading Chinese transportation expert has called for China to develop smart traffic technologies that are more customer-oriented, while boosting greener, safer and more efficient modern transportation in the country. "China's ITS applications should shift their focus to provide more solutions for public transportation in the next decade, and the industry should get a new stimulus by responding to the needs of the market," said Wang Xiaojing, chief engineer at the Research Institute of Highway under the Mi
  • 3M reflect on why CAVs need lines and signs
    May 10, 2017
    Tammy Meehan and Thomas Hedblom of 3M consider the ongoing development of technology needed to introduce connected and autonomous vehicles. The transportation industry is in the midst of the most dramatic shift since Henry Ford introduced horseless carriages. Already we are seeing the increased use of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) which, along with the introduction of autonomous vehicles in the next few decades, will bring profound changes to vehicles and the environment in which they operate.
  • FTA says any speed limit must be properly enforced
    July 30, 2013
    In response to the announcement that average speed cameras are to be introduced on a stretch of the A9 in Scotland, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that any speed limit must be properly enforced. The decision to install the new average speed camera system which will run from Dunblane to Inverness follows an on-going review of evidence as well as careful consideration of the views of the A9 Safety Group – to which FTA has contributed on behalf of its members over the last year.