A high tech ‘corridor’ between the A2 and M2 in Kent is being used to pilot technology with specially-equipped vehicles that will receive information traditionally displayed on signs, inside the vehicle through touchscreens.

By working with the Department for Transport, Kent County Council and Transport for London, Highways England hopes that the scheme will make roads safer and allow for more reliable journeys. The organisations staged a ‘TESTFEST’ – a week-long event that allowed an international audience to see how the technology could be used in the construction of future car design.

Highways England head of intelligent transport systems group, Jo White, comments: “Connecting vehicles to each other and the road around can improve journeys, make them safer and give drivers reliable, real-time personalised information; it could also help us manage traffic and respond to incidents.

“We’re supporting the Government’s aim to be world leading in the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV). The TESTFEST is a vital part of that, because it means the initiatives we take forward and the vehicles being developed all align so drivers continue to have safe journeys in the future.”

On roads like the M25, the UK’s busiest motorway which is used for 73 million journeys a year, being able to communicate with the flow of traffic in case of an incident is crucial.

Staff work tirelessly at the control centre to respond to incidents as quickly as they can – but being able to communicate with drivers through digital signs and message inside the car might help to prevent incidents in the first place. The technology will help communicate with drivers who may miss information displayed on stationary signs.

Transport for London director of network management, Glynn Barton, says: “These first live tests of connecting vehicles to our road systems and infrastructure have been an exciting opportunity for us to explore the possibilities for the future. It’s only through these events that we can understand the opportunities, risks and challenges that we face in operating transport networks in the coming years.

“Working closely with Highways England, Kent County Council and the Department for Transport on the A2/M2 connected corridor project means we can understand the potential benefits of this technology for both road users and Transport for London.”

Could digital signage inside vehicles replace traditional road signs in the future? Email summer@linkpublishing.co.uk or reach out Twitter to have your say.