4. PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
4. PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The identification of existing and potential problems within the transport and land-use system under consideration forms the starting point for the development of a transport proposal.
A key element in the STAG process is to be able to recognise the root causes of any identified problems within the study area and to develop transport improvement options that address the underlying issues. Identified problems should be supported by an analysis of available opportunities and an understanding of the constraints and uncertainties that may impact on the success of a proposed transport improvement option. Wherever reasonably practical, problems should be quantified in order to gauge the scale of the problem and to assist in defining appropriate targets as part of the established transport planning objectives.
In the case of the Aberdeen to Inverness Transport Corridor Study, the identification of initial problems has led to the collection of additional information to assist in defining conditions within the corridor including in particular data on journey times along the route, trends in road safety and passenger volumes at the rail stations within the corridor.
4.2 Existing Problems and Opportunities
The identification of problems within the existing transport corridor was an important process in the development of appropriate transport proposals for the future.
From the responses received during the consultation process, the following issues have been identified as the perceived current transport problems along the corridor.
- Volume of house building has exceeded investment in infrastructure
- Too much traffic for the standard of road
- 40mph limit on HGVs causes frustration
- Long journey times
- Congestion through built-up areas
- Poor air quality
- Poor journey time reliability
- More public transport services required
- Agricultural traffic causing platoons
- Lack of lay-by facilities
- Lack of overtaking opportunities leads to accidents
- Lack of alternative to private car
- Platooning
- Poor road surface
- Flood risk
- Drainage incorporating SUDS
- Protection of designated sites
- No safe or practical route for commuting by bicycle
- Road safety
- Conflict between strategic and local road traffic
- Burdens on firms using the corridor
- Queuing
- Public transport reliability
- Insufficient frequency / volume of trains
Given the comments regarding journey time reliability received during the consultation process, the current speed limits and road markings along the A96 trunk road have been established to assist in defining current operating conditions and overtaking opportunities along the route. This information is illustrated in Figure 4.2.1.
The results from the June 2006 journey time surveys are shown in Figure 4.2.2. This Figure also highlights the 50 mph threshold to provide a measure of consistency in journey times.
Given the comments regarding road safety received during the consultation process, the individual kilometre sections where the accident rates and severity ratio exceed the equivalent national values are shown in Figures 4.2.3 and 4.2.4 respectively.
4.3 Future Problems and Opportunities
From the responses received during the consultation process, the following issues are perceived to be the future transport problems along the corridor.
Short Term
- Increase in housing developments
- Increased traffic likely
- Lack of maintenance
- Increasing queues and delays
- Increased congestion
- Investment required in cycling infrastructure and sustainable modes of transport
- Still in need of infrastructure improvement
- Increased congestion in built-up areas
- Increased demand for rail travel leading to overcrowding
- Increasing cost for businesses leading to decreased competitiveness
- Greater need for overtaking opportunities
- Increased journey times
- Increased number of accidents
- Increased proportions of HGV traffic
- Drainage and flood risk
- Favouring energy efficient transport (rail/sea)
- Lack of alternative to private car use
Medium Term
- New settlements east of Inverness
- Increasing cost for businesses leading to decreased competitiveness
- Severe congestion
- Infrastructure could constrain the growth of businesses
- Damage to the economic sustainability of towns along corridor
- Deteriorating air quality
- Increasing safety problems
- Climate change
- Flood risk
- Significant impact on businesses in Moray
- Growth of Inverness (more demand on road)
Long Term
- Gridlock
- Reduction in air quality
- Economic and social well-being of the area
- Infrastructure that can handle all road and rail freight at sensible speeds
- Possible road user charging
- Extension of airport
- New settlements
- Private motoring costs
- Increasing traffic
In addition to the issues identified above, some additional perceived problems were identified during the first workshop. These include:
- Poor road alignment and standard at specific locations;
- Too much traffic for the standard of road;
- Road accident problems along the route;
- Current carbon emissions;
- Current and future energy prices;
- Impact of incident management, e.g. road/rail closures;
- Air quality management issues;
- Climate change; and
- Increased demand for rail and bus travel.
The information set out above was used as the basis for identifying, and quantifying wherever possible, the key transport related problems along the Aberdeen to Inverness transport corridor and to assist in the development of local transport objectives. The key problems are as follows:
- Poor road safety on some sections of the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness;
- Poor journey time reliability on some rural sections of the A96;
- Increased traffic demand and vehicle composition leading to platooning, queuing and increased carbon emissions on the A96;
- Lack of safe overtaking opportunities along the A96;
- Congestion on the A96 on the approach to and through urban areas;
- Lack of attractive, sustainable transport alternatives to private car;
- Conflict between strategic and local traffic in urban areas;
- Severance for pedestrians caused by strategic traffic in urban areas;
- Poor air quality in some urban areas;
- Increased transport costs for local businesses leading to an adverse impact on economic growth within the corridor; and
- Difficulties associated with freight movements along the transport corridor.
Figure 4.2.1a Existing A96 Carriageway Characteristics
Figure 4.2.1b Existing A96 Carriageway Characteristics
Figure 4.2.1c Existing A96 Carriageway Characteristics
Figure 4.2.2 Average Vehicle Speed by Direction
Figure 4.2.3 Accident Rate by km (2001-2005
Figure 4.2.4 Accident Severity by km (2001-2005) Locations with a cluster of 5 or more accidents
