Opportunity
Congestion and accidents were major problems and the flow of 30,000 vehicles a day marred the stunning landscape.
Solution
We designed a bypass and tunnel to speed vehicles past Hindhead. To detect incidents and prevent them turning into traffic snarl-ups on this strategic transport corridor, we fitted the tunnel with state-of-the-art communication and control systems, including the first radar-based detection system using six radar heads and processors in each bore to give full coverage of the tunnel.
Outcome
The fine range discrimination allows for vehicles close to each other to be separately identified and the locations of the radar heads avoid ‘blind spots’ under each head. CCTV cameras provide operators with visual confirmation of traffic flow and incidents. The scheme has been a huge success, reducing congestion and pollution in Hindhead, cutting journey times between the south coast and London, while enhancing the sensitive environment in the Devil’s Punch Bowl. The scheme has increased the amenity value of this area and left a lasting legacy for surrounding communities.
Won the Major Project Award, CIHT Awards (2012)
Won the Infrastructure Award, Ace Engineering Excellence Awards (2012)