Details two training programs for Highways Agency traffic officers, which were recognized in the latest UK National Training Awards.
Describes the origins and outcomes of a training program that gives new traffic officers from diverse backgrounds the general skills needed to manage incidents on the motorway, and a second training program giving traffic officers specific skills to manage a new traffic system on a stretch of motorway in the West Midlands, where vehicles travel on the hard shoulder at busy periods.
Highlights Highways Agency claims that traffic officers have helped to bring about a 12 percent reduction in incident‐related congestion, a 1.9‐minute response‐time improvement, a three‐minute improvement in carriageway‐clearance times and 44 percent more police time freed for tackling criminality.
Reveals that traffic officers are not burdened with dealing with criminality, so they have time to deal with routine incidents and essential traffic management at more serious events, alongside the emergency services.
Describes how properly trained traffic officers are helping to cut delays on England's congested motorway network.
