smart motorways?

derek vivian · Apr 1st, 2019, 09:13

Can anyone remind me just what does 'smart motorway' mean? If I already obey all speed limits (which I do) and never pass a red cross on motorway lanes what else is there? There seems to be much money being spent on motorways claiming to be for making them 'smart'!

Bendolfc · Apr 1st, 2019, 09:39

It means focus 100% because the only thing that is really smart about them is the MIDAS loops that detect the speed of traffic and can set speed limits automatically to improve the flow of traffic (which to be fair in 2019 isn't really all that smart).

The downside is break down on a relatively quiet free flowing motorway and you are at the mercy of being spotted on CCTV by someone looking at miles and miles of motorway so the odds are your car will be sat there for a good period in a live lane and you are at the mercy of other drivers spotting you and not going straight into the back of you.

If you do break down and can't make it to an ERA which could be as much as 1.6 miles away if you have just passed one, then get out ASAP and get get over the barrier. Oh and that barrier is probably right upto the nearside of the lane so it may be fun extracting a small child via the offside door.

Oh and as for red x's if you are one of those people that ignore sucn things, don't worry too much, the SMART thing to do would have been to have the cameras able to enforce them but in typical half arsed fashion, this is currently not done as the cameras are still not type approved for it,

galloot633 · Apr 1st, 2019, 20:36

I used the m6 from j20 south yesterday since it opened as a smart mway, all the middle lane hoggers have moved to lane 3 , with lane 2 empty , they were doing 60 to 65 mph , with the bmw lane doing about 80 , is there any situation where I can legally undertake ?
Daveb

The Thong · Apr 1st, 2019, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by galloot633

I used the m6 from j20 south yesterday since it opened as a smart mway, all the middle lane hoggers have moved to lane 3 , with lane 2 empty , they were doing 60 to 65 mph , with the bmw lane doing about 80 , is there any situation where I can legally undertake ?
Daveb

None but there’s not enough Plod to enforce it.

TT

gpl1968 · Apr 1st, 2019, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by galloot633

I used the m6 from j20 south yesterday since it opened as a smart mway, all the middle lane hoggers have moved to lane 3 , with lane 2 empty , they were doing 60 to 65 mph , with the bmw lane doing about 80 , is there any situation where I can legally undertake ?
Daveb

Interesting. I thought it odd on the way up the M1 last Sunday evening, the number of cars in lanes 3 and 4 doing 65mph with none in lanes 1 and 2. I was in lane 1 most of the way and had the road to myself.
I hadn't experienced this behaviour previously. Is it just the latest form of madness?

Bendolfc · Apr 1st, 2019, 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by galloot633

, is there any situation where I can legally undertake ?

Undertaking hasn't been a specific offence since 1972. Unless you are driving like a bellend constantly switching lanes etc, then there shouldn't be an issue passing on the left. Obviously on an ALR "smart" motorway there isn't much room for error though if you are doing it in L1 and the idiot decides to move over without looking.

The Thong · Apr 3rd, 2019, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by gpl1968

Interesting. I thought it odd on the way up the M1 last Sunday evening, the number of cars in lanes 3 and 4 doing 65mph with none in lanes 1 and 2. I was in lane 1 most of the way and had the road to myself.
I hadn't experienced this behaviour previously. Is it just the latest form of madness?

Now they’ve made lane hogging and endorsable offence I think people enjoy doing it more... Sometimes being Bad Feels Good

I’ve noticed a rise in people lane hogging on motorways in general. Smart motorways seem to have more than their fair share of em, it’s poor road craft.

TT

canis · Apr 10th, 2019, 05:16

Smart motorways. It's just another entrapment method to upset motorists.

Got hit by one last week. The gantry was showing 60mph, as had the last three gantrys. There was no reason to presume anything might change. The traffic was flowing perfectly smoothly. I was in the middle lane overtaking a lorry. At 60mph, using cruise control. Someone was overtaking me at about 65 I'd guess.

Suddenly the gantry changed to 40mph, only yards before I passed it. Both me and the driver beside me braked sharply, but not sharp enough. We both got the tell-tale double flash of the speed camera.

Now as everyone on this forum knows, I hate speeding offenders with a passion. And yet here I find myself.

Not recieved the summons in the post yet. But I wouldn't be suprised.

It's the modern way. Machines are telling us what to do, and we must comply.

domhart10 · Apr 10th, 2019, 13:16

M25 is a smart motor way now as well? all the camera's went live there too.

Was traveling off the M4 onto the M25, motor way was not busy at all but randomly the variable signs ahead of me down the road I could see said 30mph?! I had no idea why as there wasnt anything around really or no sign for queing or crash etc ... luckily there were cars in front of me who continued doing about 60mph (about 4 of them) then suddenly an almighty display of flashing started where I suddenly dropped all achors and slammed my brakes down to 30 mph ..... The motorway was still pretty empty and the next signs after that said 40mph which was weird and again the cars in front got another mighty display of camera flashing which caused everyone to slam brakes again.

driving on the M25 for another hour and saw no traffic, breakdown, queing etc etc to of warranted that drop in speed .... oh yes the time I was driving at was 1am

Under taking seems to be acceptable as well now with these smart motorways making it more of a free way as people just sit in whatever lane they want now just looking at their speed limit and many cars never got flashed or anything for undertaking.

Bendolfc · Apr 10th, 2019, 14:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by canis

Smart motorways. It's just another entrapment method to upset motorists.

Got hit by one last week. The gantry was showing 60mph, as had the last three gantrys. There was no reason to presume anything might change. The traffic was flowing perfectly smoothly. I was in the middle lane overtaking a lorry. At 60mph, using cruise control. Someone was overtaking me at about 65 I'd guess.

Suddenly the gantry changed to 40mph, only yards before I passed it. Both me and the driver beside me braked sharply, but not sharp enough. We both got the tell-tale double flash of the speed camera.

Now as everyone on this forum knows, I hate speeding offenders with a passion. And yet here I find myself.

Not recieved the summons in the post yet. But I wouldn't be suprised.

It's the modern way. Machines are telling us what to do, and we must comply.

You will not receive anything if it was as you described, enforcement is inactive until 60 seconds have passed following a speed limit reduction.

Apr 1st, 2019, 09:13	#1
derek vivian Senior Member Last Online: Apr 2nd, 2024 16:01 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Whyteleafe	smart motorways? Can anyone remind me just what does 'smart motorway' mean? If I already obey all speed limits (which I do) and never pass a red cross on motorway lanes what else is there? There seems to be much money being spent on motorways claiming to be for making them 'smart'!

Apr 10th, 2019, 13:16	#9
domhart10 Volvo S40 Last Online: Yesterday 23:31 Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Chichester	M25 is a smart motor way now as well? all the camera's went live there too. Was traveling off the M4 onto the M25, motor way was not busy at all but randomly the variable signs ahead of me down the road I could see said 30mph?! I had no idea why as there wasnt anything around really or no sign for queing or crash etc ... luckily there were cars in front of me who continued doing about 60mph (about 4 of them) then suddenly an almighty display of flashing started where I suddenly dropped all achors and slammed my brakes down to 30 mph ..... The motorway was still pretty empty and the next signs after that said 40mph which was weird and again the cars in front got another mighty display of camera flashing which caused everyone to slam brakes again. driving on the M25 for another hour and saw no traffic, breakdown, queing etc etc to of warranted that drop in speed .... oh yes the time I was driving at was 1am Under taking seems to be acceptable as well now with these smart motorways making it more of a free way as people just sit in whatever lane they want now just looking at their speed limit and many cars never got flashed or anything for undertaking. __________________ ----------------------------------------- Current: 2009 Volvo S40 T5 Progress Thread: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=271945 Previous Volvo: 2008 S40 SE Lux R Design 2.0D

Apr 1st, 2019, 09:39	#2
Bendolfc Premier Member Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 12:51 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Liverpool	It means focus 100% because the only thing that is really smart about them is the MIDAS loops that detect the speed of traffic and can set speed limits automatically to improve the flow of traffic (which to be fair in 2019 isn't really all that smart). The downside is break down on a relatively quiet free flowing motorway and you are at the mercy of being spotted on CCTV by someone looking at miles and miles of motorway so the odds are your car will be sat there for a good period in a live lane and you are at the mercy of other drivers spotting you and not going straight into the back of you. If you do break down and can't make it to an ERA which could be as much as 1.6 miles away if you have just passed one, then get out ASAP and get get over the barrier. Oh and that barrier is probably right upto the nearside of the lane so it may be fun extracting a small child via the offside door. Oh and as for red x's if you are one of those people that ignore sucn things, don't worry too much, the SMART thing to do would have been to have the cameras able to enforce them but in typical half arsed fashion, this is currently not done as the cameras are still not type approved for it,

Apr 1st, 2019, 20:36	#3
galloot633 xc90, volvo number five Last Online: Yesterday 17:28 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Grappenhall	I used the m6 from j20 south yesterday since it opened as a smart mway, all the middle lane hoggers have moved to lane 3 , with lane 2 empty , they were doing 60 to 65 mph , with the bmw lane doing about 80 , is there any situation where I can legally undertake ? Daveb

Apr 10th, 2019, 05:16	#8
canis Non Fragile Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chadderton, Oldham	Smart motorways. It's just another entrapment method to upset motorists. Got hit by one last week. The gantry was showing 60mph, as had the last three gantrys. There was no reason to presume anything might change. The traffic was flowing perfectly smoothly. I was in the middle lane overtaking a lorry. At 60mph, using cruise control. Someone was overtaking me at about 65 I'd guess. Suddenly the gantry changed to 40mph, only yards before I passed it. Both me and the driver beside me braked sharply, but not sharp enough. We both got the tell-tale double flash of the speed camera. Now as everyone on this forum knows, I hate speeding offenders with a passion. And yet here I find myself. Not recieved the summons in the post yet. But I wouldn't be suprised. It's the modern way. Machines are telling us what to do, and we must comply.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)