The Department for Transport, supported by GeoPlace, the British Parking Association and Ordnance Survey, conducted a discovery into the processed by which Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) are made, and how TRO data is made available and used across the country
The project had input from over 200 individuals across 90+ organisations and over 3000 road users.
Reports
You can find the summary report here and the GeoPlace announcement here. The announcement from the Department for Transport is available here.
This project directly contributes to the Industrial Strategy Grand Challenge to make the UK a world leader in shaping the Future of Mobility and follows a key recommendation in the North Highland Consultancy's report which called for further work to modernise and digitise TROs.
Watch the introductory video to the Discovery Project below.
We engaged widely with experts, and with people and organisations who required TROs to understand who is reliant on TROs, how the process works for them and how we might look to improve it in the future. We worked with local highways authorities to understand how they create TROs and manage their TRO data and released a number of surveys to understand
- the costs incurred by local authorities to create Permanent Order and Temporary Orders.
- the maturity of TRO Digitisation associated with features typically relating to TROs.
- the needs of individuals/organisations for data typically associated with TROs.
A draft Data Model for TROs was commissioned by the DfT and created by the British Parking Association, a free resource compatible with Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and the international TRO landscape. This can be found here: www.britishparking.co.uk - BPA_TRO_Data_Model_User_Guidance.pdf
A guide was produced by the British Parking Association to help Local Authorities understand how they can work within the limits of current legislation based on best practice in the current landscape. This can be found here: www.britishparking.co.uk - BPA_TRO_Best_Practice_Guide_2019.pdf
What is a Traffic Regulation Order?
(TROs) are used to implement changes on the road network. They are used for such diverse things as:
- changing features on the road like signs and speed limits
- implementing parking restrictions and limiting the movements of HGVs in residential areas
- allowing temporary closures for street parties, play streets and roadworks, and
- experimental changes
The blanket term Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is intended here to cover the wide variety of orders made under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. These can also be known as Traffic Management Orders (TMOs) in London and off-street Parking Places Orders (PPOs) in car parks.
TROs can be permanent, temporary or experimental, and can apply to moving or stationary vehicles. The scope of the TRO Discovery includes all of these.
If you would like any further information or would like to participate in any follow up work, please email [email protected]
About the partners:
Section
Department for Transport
The Department for Transport aims to create a safe, secure, efficient and reliable transport system that works for the people who depend on it; supporting a strong, productive economy and the jobs and homes people need. The Department is leading on the Future of Mobility Grand Challenge which aims to make the UK the world leader in the movement of goods, people and service. The Department is also committed to make journeys easier, modern and reliable. One way we are doing this is by supporting the delivery of new digital technology to improve journeys.
Section
GeoPlace
GeoPlace LLP is a public sector limited liability partnership between the Local Government Association (LGA) and Ordnance Survey. GeoPlace is a world class expert in address and street information management, working internationally as well as in the UK to help our partners and customers maximise the value of their spatial information for better decision making. GeoPlace maintains a national infrastructure that supports the address and street information needs of the public and private sectors. Its work relies heavily on close working relationships with every local authority in England and Wales. This relationship has been developed over 15 years, to build the National Address Gazetteer infrastructure and National Street Gazetteer. Ordnance Survey develops the range of AddressBase products from the National Address Gazetteer and OS MasterMap Highways Network from the NSG. Both datasets underpin efficient and effective services, bringing direct service delivery benefits to users.
Links
www.geoplace.co.uk
Section
British Parking Association
British Parking Association (BPA) is a not for profit organisation, representing, promoting and influencing the parking and traffic management profession throughout the UK and Europe. Membership of more than 700 organisations and individuals includes local authorities, car park operators, retail parks, healthcare facilities, universities, railway stations, technology providers, trainers and consultants. This Discovery project evolved from work currently underway in the BPAs international initiative to develop global standards in parking data, the Alliance for Parking Data Standards.
Links
www.britishparking.co.uk
Section
Ordnance Survey
Ordnance Survey (OS) is the national mapping agency for Great Britain, and a world-leading geospatial data and technology organisation. As a reliable partner to government, business and citizens across Britain and the world, OS helps its customers in virtually all sectors improve quality of life. OS expertise and data supports efficient public services and infrastructure, new technologies in transport and communications, national security and emergency services and exploring the great outdoors. By being at the forefront of geospatial capability for more than 225 years, we've built a reputation as the world's most inspiring and trusted geospatial partner.
Links
www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk
Further information around Traffic Regulation Orders
Legislation
England and Wales
- The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984
- The Local Authorities' Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Useful links
- The consultation launch on the Department for Transport's website
- Local Transport Data Discovery report by North Highland Report
- House of Commons Library: Roads Traffic Regulation Orders
- TRO Discovery Project
- GeoPlace news release: GeoPlace working with the Department of Transport to Keep Britain Moving
- Launch blog by Baz Lokat, Senior Consultant, GeoPlace
