Research and analysis

Smart motorway comparison report: December 2022

Initial report looking at the safety, capacity and environmental impacts of smart motorways.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

The report compares 3 types of smart motorways:

  • all lane running (ALR)
  • controlled (including stretches of controlled motorways which have also been widened)
  • dynamic hard shoulder running (DHS)

It provides:

  • a summary of the different types of smart motorways and their features, setting out in more detail when and why each smart motorway type was introduced
  • a high-level summary of the impact of each type of smart motorway when considered through a safety, capacity and environmental lens
  • a summary of the current understanding on the economics of smart motorways as well as an overview of safety data

This report is in response to the Transport Select Committee’s recommendations to collect and present evidence and evaluation to enable the government to make informed decisions about enhancing capacity on the Strategic Road Network (SRN).

Published 15 December 2022