Highways England has awarded Sopra Steria the National Traffic Information Service (NTIS) contract to provide real time information on traffic on major roads.
The company will run the service under a £41.85 million contract for an initial five years, with an option for a two-year extension.
NTIS forms part of Highways England’s customer service strategy to provide better information to road users.
It connects to the various subsystems of the Highways England Traffic Management Systems (HATMS) at regional control centres throughout England. These interfaces provide access to information on unplanned incidents, loop based traffic data, CCTV images and the ability to set and receive variable message signs and matrix signal settings.
Connections to other systems support the planning for activities such as roadworks, sporting and major events, and reactions to adverse weather and incidents.
Highways England said the service helps road users plan their journeys, avoid delays and stay safe by providing the latest information to journey planning website TrafficEngland.com and to the electronic message signs on the network.
Responsibilities and transition
The contract notice outlines the main responsibilities of Sopra Steria as collecting and analysing relevant data from multiple sources, disseminating information and travel advice through Highways England's website and roadside signs, supporting regional operations centres and collecting historical traffic data. It is expected that the transition from the previous contractor, Network Information Services, will take up to four and a half months.
Meryl Roberts, Highways England’s operations and performance team leader, said: “It is very important that drivers have the right information to help them to make choices about their journeys and reduce congestion.
“Sopra Steria will develop the already excellent service for everyone who uses our roads.”
Adrian Fieldhouse, managing director, Sopra Steria’s government sector, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Highways England on the development of the National Traffic Information Service, leveraging our road traffic management and digital transformation experience from London, Singapore and around the globe to tackle some of today’s biggest infrastructure challenges – including pollution, road safety and congestion.”
Image from GOV.UK, Open Government Licence v3.0
