New Management
The control and management of the entire M8 is now under the umbrella of Traffic Scotland. This organisation is part of Transport Scotland which is in itself part of the Scottish government. CITRAC no longer exists as a unit but has been split into two separate entities. Control of the traffic signal system in the Glasgow conurbation is by Traffcom (Traffic Control and Management), run wholly by Glasgow City Council.
The motorway and trunk roads network is now controlled from a temporary standalone centre on Broomielaw. This is staffed by Atkins PLC who won the contract for the operation after Glasgow City Council declined to bid when the contract came up for renewal in 2006. Staff from Glasgow City Council were transferred under TUPE conditions to ensure a continuing expertise in the management of the system.
Up to the minute traffic information is broadcast from the control room by Traffic Link. These broadcasts are taken by most of the local and national radio stations. Any stations not using the live broadcast invariably obtain information from the REGIS information system or from the Traffic Scotland website.
Traffic Scotland are at present preparing contracts for a purpose-built Traffic Control Centre, the location of which is yet to be decided. This centre will be a state of the art control centre with command and control systems to allow communication with contractors and the Roads Operating companies who are responsible for maintenance on the carriageway. Roadside telephones will be answered from the centre and breakdown services will be dispatched to aid stranded motorists. The centre is expected to be up and running within 5 years.
Read more about this topic: M8 Motorway (Scotland), 2008
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