TELEMATICS and in-car traffic information systems look set to proliferate as hi-tech solutions are employed to beat congestion. The white paper gave strong hints that new road building schemes would be few and far between, placing more emphasis on better use of existing roads.

The Highways Agency will now have new responsibilities: 'To develop its role as network operator by implementing traffic management, network control and other measures aimed at making best use of the existing infrastructure; to take action to reduce congestion and increase the reliability of journey times.'

This will manifest itself partly in the creation of Regional Traffic Control Centres to reduce the disruption caused by major incidents, provide rerouting advice to minimise the effect of congestion and incidents, minimise delays due to roadworks, and influence pre-trip decisions on route, time and mode by providing reliable and accurate information.

Some fleets have already started to take such matters into their own hands selecting Vauxhall cars with Trafficmaster's Oracle on board, or equipping drivers with hand-held Trafficmaster systems. These provide live-time information on traffic conditions on all UK motorways and a growing number of trunk roads.