Rules of the Road Ground Truth Surveys Framework

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), are looking to provide a region wide “System” for the recording and upkeep of regulatory, order and non-order based highway data, mapped to provide information in a digitised format. This Traffic Order Management system (System) will operate across the entire region but will encompass individual access for each of the seven (7) constituent local highway authorities (LHA), being Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton who will have individual control of the traffic orders within their boundaries.

One of the critical aspects of this project is establishing the existing restrictions, prohibitions, and regulatory markings in each of the LHA areas. It is envisaged that best way of achieving this will be from detailed Ground Truth Surveys (GTS) of the highway in each LHA area. These surveys will then form the basis for the review of the on street signing and lining compared to the existing Traffic Regulation Orders which may ultimately result in new consolidation orders being produced in some or all of the LHA areas.

At present there is only a budget available for £500k for surveys to be carried out in the 2022/23 financial year. It is likely, although not confirmed, that further surveys will be required over the next four years which shall be carried out under this Framework.