Steve Spender IEng FIHE
President

Methods of gathering survey information were described and those present were impressed to hear that OS staff have to keep on top of around 5,000 changes across the UK each day as well as interpreting 65,000 aerial images annually. Gary described the recent advances in the OS Master Map (a comprehensive mapping database) and it was noted that 460 million (and rising!) individual features are mapped. Questions and comments at the end of the presentation focussed around highway engineers' need for high levels of accuracy in mapping, particularly in relation to carriageway and footway widths.

Other planned presentations in the autumn season are 'Mobile Traffic Solutions, variable message signs and traffic counts' (12 October) and 'The changing face of planning' (9 November). Both members and non members are very welcome at our hosts, Sanderson Associates' office at Grange Moor near Huddersfield and we look forward to any new attendees who can enjoy a sociable early evening whilst gaining those valuable extra hours of CPD!

The Northern Ireland Branch Annual Golf Day at Massereene Golf Club in Antrim attracted a good turn out of 30 players who struggled in the very windy and wet conditions. Despite these conditions, a few good scores were recorded. The winner was Branch Secretary, Jackson Minford with Seamus Graffin 2nd and Brian Johnston 3rd. The branch would like to thank all the sponsors of the event who contributed an excellent range of prizes and also Massereene Golf Club.

Southern branch held their 2011 Seminar 'Highway Engineers - Promoting Safer Roads' on Wednesday 7 September at Ashburton Hall, Queen Elizabeth 11 Centre, Winchester. This event was the third in a series which has previously featured 'Highway Engineers - Investing in the Asset' in 2010 and 'Bottoms up to the Highway Engineer' in 2009. The morning session was opened by IHE President, Steve Spender. Paul Watters, Head of Public Affairs at the AA gave a keynote speech on the 'Golden Triangle' which explains the link between 'The Car, the Driver/Rider and the Road.' Paul explained that the car and its development has improved dramatically due to EuroNCAP standards whilst drivers and riders are being offered improved education and roads have been designed to reduce accidents. For example the Hindhead Tunnel scheme alone is estimated to save 221,000 accidents over the previous A3. Dr John Fletcher of TRL gave an introduction to MAAP (Micro computer Accident Analysis Package), its early development and progress to today's version. Adam Bunce from Portsmouth City explaining the merits of the 20mph 'blanket' speed limit order on the City side roads. The scheme has so far led to a 21% reduction in collisions and 22% reduction in casualties with a migration towards more sustainable transport. Duncan Knox from Surrey CC is head of road safety and described their partnership with Surrey Police which has developed a countywide scheme called Drive SMART. This is a £1m scheme to address anti social driving behaviour.It has embraced novel approaches such as the employment of school children acting as mobile speed camera operators outside their respective schools and then being allowed to interrogate the offending drivers stopped for speeding.

The education theme was continued by Lyn Morris of srsCULTURE a partnership 'cradle to grave' approach to the subject set up between her and Southern Branch sponsor Nick Stilwell of Stilwell Road Safety Ltd. The afternoon session continued with Lee Shepherd of AGD Systems Ltd explaining RADAR and its current application in simple, reliable, low maintenance signs and signals whilst Andy Pledge gave an overview of the 'Passive Safety UK Guidelines for Specification and Use of Passively Safe Street Furniture on the UK Road Network. Ian Jeffrey of Sussex Police spoke about the 'Corporate Manslaughter & Corporate Homicide Act' and last on the stage was Phil Cook of TMS Consultancy who described the challenges facing RSA's. The day ended with a summary and thanks from Branch Chairman, Chris Stark.

Mercia Branch recently held a social evening at Monmore Green Greyhound Track, Wolverhampton. The branch's two main sponsors SAPA Pole Products UK and Freeway FDR Ltd sponsored a race each. Bets were placed, money was won and lost and a great night was had by all!

The 3rd Mercia Open Golf day was held on 16 September at the Shropshire Golf Centre and Driving range at Telford. This event is organised by branch vice chair and Council member, Ellie Gormley who is herself a keen golfer. The event was sponsored by Clearview Traffic (Main Sponsors) and Highways Magazine who provided a number of prizes. Support from Neil Levett of Highways Magazine was rewarded with the nearest the pin trophy. The event was attended by 36 Golfers who all enjoyed the day. Ellie Gormley presents the overall winners trophy to Neil Langan of Clearview who won the event.

Forthcoming Mercia Branch events:
Thursday 13th Oct TBC - Dawley & Malinslee Regeneration Site
Visit - Telford & Wrekin Council
Thursday 3rd Nov - Screwfast Foundations Ltd - Peter Dunn

The South of Scotland branch has been active over the summer months and has visited various organisations to encourage employees to progress their professional qualifications. Martin Polland, Gordon Brown and Kenny McAnally visited Perth, Angus and Edinburgh and gave presentations to Perth and Kinross Council, Angus Council and Bear Scotland. The South of Scotland branch are due to meet later this month to prepare the technical evenings schedule for the forthcoming winter months. All future technical evenings will be updated on the branch website and members are encouraged to make regular checks for any changes. All members in Scotland should now be receiving an email of forthcoming events. Any members not receiving information are encouraged to contact either the Chair or Vice Chair with any updated contact details.

15 members from Eastern branch visited The Olympic Park on 30 June to check on progress and view the new stadium and related buildings. The visit included a bus tour of the site and testing of security arrangements which proved a challenge for certain members of the tour party.

South Western Branch - Over 40 members attended the South Western Branch 46th AGM at Exeter's Met Office on Thursday 12th May 2011- the best attendance for three years, with an first class venue and excellent speakers. A Charity Draw for RedR resulted in a cheque for £50.00. The South Western Branch sponsor for 2011/2 is WJ Road Markings, South West. The SW Monthly Newsletters are now back in circulation following Helen Pickett (Branch Communications Officer) return to work earlier this year following the arrival of Alexander. Last month's edition featured Bridges.

Poole Bridge - An excellent visit on Thursday 7th July 2011, and our thanks go to Richard Bruton of Hotchtief's and site supervisor John Madams of Gifford's for an excellent talk and showing us around the mid-channel concrete structures. We also thank Stuart Terry, Poole Bridge's client manager for arranging the visit. The South Western Branch held two Professional Review workshops in July. The first was hosted by Peter Dipper and Darran Queenan at Devon CC's Middle Moor House at Sowton, and attended by 14 delegates. A few days later Peter Dipper travelled to North Somerset
Council and met a further 7 potential candidates. The future programme includes a Health and Safety Day and an Environmental Day.

For those looking to take their review in the next year, there is a Preparing for your Professional Review day on 27th October. Although focusing on CEng, the procedures are similar for IEng and all IEng candidates are welcome. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Next reviewers meeting: 8th November 2011

Linda Tydeman, Events Assistant will be leaving at the end of September. Linda has been with the Institute for 9 years and usually worked on Tuesdays. The Institute would like to thank Linda for her many years of loyal service and to wish her well in the future.

Meanwhile new contact names for member queries are as follows:
Stephen Palmer - General Institute business
Bob Leonard - Membership matters
Alan Newman - Events and Courses
Cherrie Baya-Ouerghi - PA Administrator
Julie Clarke - Membership Administrator

Approximately 30 delegates attended the pre conference foundation course in traffic signing and heard presentations by DfT experts together with leading practitioners from the signs industry. Wednesday 14 September was the main event with nearly 100 delegates eager to learn from DfT officials the extent of changes expected in the soon to be published new regulations. Simon Morgan of Buchanan Computing chaired the morning session introducing Graham Hanson, Head of Traffic Signs Policy at DfT who begun the day with a thorough run through of main points arising from the traffic signs review, and expected new regulations. Graham was followed by Keith Ross of Network Rail who spoke about the various initiatives underway to reduce incidents of rail bridge strikes. John Bennett and Roger Mackintosh of DfT concluded the morning presentations outlining new and recent changes to signing practice. The afternoon session was chaired by Andrew Thurston of SKM Colin Buchanan beginning with a presentation from Francis Ashton and Navid Arif of Notts City Council on their excellent ParkSmart scheme. This was followed by Colin Davies of PRIAN who gave an excellent thought provoking presentation challenging the need for so many 'unnecessary' signs and illustrating how good practice can both improve the environment and save costs. John Taylor, Atkins presented on signing the Olympic Route Network whilst Andy Sturrock of A-One+ concluded the day's business with a talk on sign maintenance.

The organisers would like to thank all speakers for their valuable input to the two days, the main sponsors, Buchanan Computing and SKM Colin Buchanan together with industry supporters, ASD Sign Products, William Smith signs, Key Traffic Systems, Sign Post solutions, One2See and Rediweld Ltd.

Simon Bennett, a long standing member of Yorkshire Branch and Council member represented the Institute and the interest of all Incorporated / Technician Engineers on the Board of the Engineering Council. Simon's 3 year term of office with Eng Council ended on 31st December 2010.

Andy Dixon is a long term supporter of The Institute who joined IHE in 1976. Andy helped configure the annual industry leading Traffic Signal Course and remains an active member of the IHE Traffic Signals steering group. Andy is looking forward to next year's Traffic Signals course which will be held at Aston University Conference Centre between 16 - 19 April.

The IHE Traffic Signs Group was heavily involved in the policy review, both as a "sounding board", and by active participation in each of the three working groups (Sign information, Enforcement, and Environment) and to the overall Steering Group. In addition to input to these meetings, IHE produced papers at various stages of the process, notably a 19-page report on the signing of onstreet parking controls.

Many of the changes announced by the minister can be attributed directly to ideas first raised by IHE members. Read more...