Transport Planning Associates (TPA)

  The UK Government has announced the introduction of the country’s first ever Road Safety Investigation Branch (RSIB), which will investigate road accidents and help shape future road safety policy.  The Department for Transport (DfT) said that a specialised inspection team would be hired for the investigation branch, with the aim of providing insight into the factors causing road accidents, and what needs to be changed in order to save lives.  Why has the investigation branch been set up?  While the Government described the UK as having “some of the highest road safety standards in the world”, it said that the RSIB’s introduction would help ensure this continued to be the case during the modernisation of the road network.  Not only is the investigation branch expected to look into how and why incidents occur, but it will also consider means by which new technologies – such as electric and self-driving vehicles – can be rolled out on UK roads.  T...

  From Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th June, the 2022 Big Bang Fair will be held. No less than one of the key STEM events of the year, the celebration will take place at The NEC in Birmingham – and the government company responsible for the operation, maintenance and improvement of England’s motorways and major A roads will be there.  That company is National Highways, which has said it will be present at the fair to give 11 to 14 year olds a taste of what it is like to take on the monumental task of managing the country’s strategic road network.  What will students be able to experience at National Highways’ stand?  The organisation formerly known as the Highways Agency – and subsequently Highways England – has said that its stand will give young visitors the chance to “discover all the fantastic ways that we’re bringing new digital technology into our day-to-day work.”  The company said that the youngsters would be able to try its concrete ...