We're undertaking a range of assignments to assist TfL's latest plans for congestion charging, from technology trials to infrastructure streetscape integration Helping introduce and now expand congestion charging, improving pedestrian facilities, promoting cycling and bus priority schemes, enhancing streetscape design, upgrading tunnel fire and safety systems. When it comes to supporting TfL’s Surface Transport team the scope of our skills and experience is immense.

We use sophisticated and proven modelling and analysis tools in designing solutions that reduce congestion and delays and improve journey time reliability, environmental conditions and safety for bus passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and essential road traffic alike.

Our portfolio of current/newly-completed assignments for TfL includes:

Congestion charging

We're undertaking a range of assignments to assist TfL's latest plans for congestion charging, among them:

Policy and strategy advice - Low Emission Zone

Through a long term secondment, for the past three months Mott Macdonald have been providing transport strategy and policy support on the development of the London Low Emission Zone. Work has involved heading up the team responsible for the preparation of the Report to the Mayor on the recent LEZ consultation. A decision is expected towards the middle on May on whether the LEZ scheme will go ahead.

Value added services (VAS)

As part of TfL's Technology Trials, Congestion Charging is implementing a full trial of a DSRC tag and beacon system in a mini-zone in South London. Part of the trial will evaluate the effectiveness and usefulness of the provision of a range of VAS triggered by the DSRC events at the Urban Charge Point sites and delivered to mobile devices in vehicles.

Under the VAS project, we have so far delivered:

• interfaces to the DSRC system and TfL's LTIS traffic alert system
• a VAS platform to manage dissemination of traffic alerts, news items and charging information
• SMS, Java and voice delivery of VAS services to mobile phones
• a web-based customer registration system
• a configurable billing system, allowing TfL to investigate various charging regimes

Infrastructure streetscape integration
We’re managing this study which aims to enhance the way the new tag and beacon infrastructure will be integrated throughout the diverse and historic streetscapes of eight central London boroughs.

Traffic impact modelling
Having developed a SALT-C model for TfL to assess the traffic impact of the introduction of congestion charging – using a SATURN model covering London in simulation within the North and South Circular Roads (and additional areas south of the Thames) – we tested the impacts of the proposed western extension to the charged area. Enhancements we’ve been making to the model include:

• better representation of bus lanes to improve the modelling of bus journey times and the effect on traffic of bus lane setbacks at junctions
• better representation of junctions within the existing charged area
• extension of model detail to be able to deal with the proposed extensions to the charged zone

Northbound Blackwall Tunnel refurbishments

We’ve been entrusted with the feasibility study, design and construction supervision on this strategic project – refurbishing the 1.36km northbound Blackwall Tunnel. This involve significantly enhancing and modernising not only the civil engineering infrastructure but also the fire and life safety systems, lighting and communications equipment, traffic management facilities and traffic control systems.

Cycle parking in schools and colleges

One of the initiatives of TfL’s Cycling Centre of Excellence is to provide cycle parking facilities in schools and colleges throughout London – encouraging younger people to take up cycling by providing modern, secure parking facilities. The scheme is currently linked to Borough’s School Travel Plans and the 2006/7 budget is in excess of £1 million. Mott MacDonald provides in-house contract management and site monitoring for the programme which, since January 2004, has provided cycle parking facilities in over 200 schools and colleges.

Southwark Streetscape enhancement

As part of the alternative technology trials to improve congestion charging processes in Central London, TfL installed temporary trials infrastructure at 20 sites around Southwark and commissioned Mott MacDonald to study the impact on the streetscape and recommend and prioritise enhancements. The detailed study looked at numerous aspects such as carriageway dimensions and markings, road and footway materials and surfacing, street furniture, trees, lamp columns, signage, traffic calming and safety.

As the 20 sites represent a broad cross-section of street types and urban environments in Southwark, the recommendations have wide application and potential for helping both TfL and the London Borough of Southwark shape their streetscape guidance strategies.

Bus Priority Measures

Mott MacDonald is developing workable bus priority scheme options through to feasibility and conceptual designs on the A232 TLRN Cheam Road approach to the A217 St Dunstan's Hill junction, through to the intersection with the High Street / Ewell Road / The Broadway. In addition a cost-benefit analysis is being undertaken for each scheme proposal, taking into account the volume of buses/traffic, the potential time savings in peak periods and the cost of engineering works.

Street Lighting PFI

We've been investigating options for TfL for the procurement of street lighting services for London's red routes road network and providing advice and assistance in the development of a preliminary business case.

COMET

Mott MacDonald staff have played a key role in the development of a real time traffic information database and manning the London Traffic Control Centre (LTCC). A member of our staff seconded to TfL as a COMET development engineer working for the Congestion Charging Directorate (CCD) helped ensure the COMET system matched the operational requirements of the traffic operations engineers who manage the TfL traffic signal network. Throughout the early phases of congestion charging ‘Go Live’, he maintained and operated the COMET system within the (LTCC) providing a real time support service to the operational teams. Recent roles have concentrated on achieving successful delivery of the COMET product against the original contract specification for the CCD and the Director of Traffic Management (DTM). Subsequently we:

• specified subsequent development of COMET taking into account DTM requirements
• developed COMET operational procedures and integrated them with the LTCC, DTM and Traffic Operations
• acted as liaison between operations staff and the COMET team
• completed data population of COMET to encompass the likely area for the congestion charging extension