Dublin’s M50 is set to become a “dynamic motorway” with variable speed limits determined by computer algorithms and the ability to close individual lanes and junctions using “Red X” signals on almost 100 overhead gantries.
The Enhanced Motorway Operation Service (Emos) system will control 380 “dynamic lane signs” on 98 gantries over 38km of the M50. This will help to close lanes and reduce traffic speeds in the event of a crash or severe weather events.The €80 million Emos upgrade will be to get more vehicles along the motorway per hour, particularly at congested times, by reducing the overall speed of traffic on the route.
This upgrade also ensures the safety of 350,000 vehicle trips per day, as well as the safety of first respondents in the event of a crash.The computer algorithms will then be used to determine the need for lane closures or optimum speeds of traffic allowing controllers to intervene swiftly when congestion builds up or weather makes the top speed unsafe.Fibre optic cabling, connecting to road-side weather stations and traffic sensors, along with visual feeds will transmit information to the computers at the TII’s Motorway Control Centre in Dublin’s Docklands.
The computers will continuously run the algorithms to achieve the safest and most efficient operating conditions for 350,000 trips undertaken on the M50 every day.