UK Highways Agency awards contract to provide national traffic information

The 1841 UK Highways Agency has announced the award of a new seven-year, US$93 million, contract to provide the National Traffic Information Service, to Network Information Services (NIS), a joint venture between 499 Mouchel and 596 Thales UK. The new service, which will start on 1 September 2011, will replace the traffic data processing and publication elements of the existing ten year National Traffic Control Centre contract with a more efficient one, providing better value for the taxpayer and continuing to provide up to the minute traffic information for people using motorways and major A roads in England.

"The National Traffic Information Service is central to the Highways Agency's role of managing traffic and making the most efficient use of the existing network,” said roads minister, Mike Penning. “Timely and accurate traffic information helps both private and commercial road users to plan their journeys, avoiding delays and congestion that add to the cost of journeys."