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Smart motoring saves driving time Smart motoring saves driving time
(3 days later)
Motorists travelling between Glasgow and Edinburgh on the M8 motorway could take longer than those driving via "back roads", a survey has suggested. Drivers who avoid the M8 due to congestion fears are adding to the journey time between Glasgow and Edinburgh, a survey has suggested.
The study by motoring organisations showed that by using technology to avoid congested routes a daily commuter could save up to one hour per week.The study by motoring organisations showed that by using technology to avoid congested routes a daily commuter could save up to one hour per week.
During roadworks, a 25-mile detour via Falkirk took much less time than using the more direct but congested route.
Two cars were used to compare journeys over a four-day period.Two cars were used to compare journeys over a four-day period.
Delay areas The Trafficmaster and RAC Foundation report said the M8 was the faster route on most occasions.
By using in-car and internet technology to choose their route in advance the test drivers saved almost an hour in the commuting week.By using in-car and internet technology to choose their route in advance the test drivers saved almost an hour in the commuting week.
However, even though the M8 is often congested it was the faster route on almost all occasions during the test. Delay areas
On one occasion, a 25-mile detour via Falkirk proved quicker than using the more direct M8 route.
However, the survey said: "The regularly congested M8 is often avoided by drivers travelling between these two cities, but it is actually shown to be quicker on all but one occasion for our Virtual Driver."
The Trafficmaster and RAC Foundation report recommends the creation of a national database of roadworks including minor works.The Trafficmaster and RAC Foundation report recommends the creation of a national database of roadworks including minor works.
The information would enable drivers and traffic information providers to understand potential delay areas in advance.The information would enable drivers and traffic information providers to understand potential delay areas in advance.
Congestion hotspots We must also change the way we work and time when we commute to reduce congestion and pollution Edmund KingRAC Foundation executive director
The report said: "We can use today's technology to avoid congestion and take the best routes, not just the obvious ones, to avoid congestion, save time and also reduce our overall environmental impact." The report said: "We can use today's technology to avoid congestion and take the best routes, not just the obvious ones, to avoid congestion, save time and also reduce our overall environmental impact.
"Congestion hotspots are well known locally so theoretically we are all capable of avoiding them. However, motorists often know little of the alternative routes available to them and rarely have time to prepare an alternative route.""Congestion hotspots are well known locally so theoretically we are all capable of avoiding them. However, motorists often know little of the alternative routes available to them and rarely have time to prepare an alternative route."
RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King said: "We must get smarter by using traffic information and in-car technology to avoid the worst congestion.RAC Foundation executive director Edmund King said: "We must get smarter by using traffic information and in-car technology to avoid the worst congestion.
"We must also change the way we work and time when we commute to reduce congestion and pollution. Travelling out of the peak or working from home one day a week can have great benefits for the economy and environment.""We must also change the way we work and time when we commute to reduce congestion and pollution. Travelling out of the peak or working from home one day a week can have great benefits for the economy and environment."
Neil Greig of the IAM Motoring Trust said that the study confirmed that the M8 is unable to cope at peak times. Neil Greig of the IAM Motoring Trust said that the study confirmed that the M8 was unable to cope at peak times.