Dartford Crossing...

[gannet]

Having just used the dartford crossing recently in both directions I'm left pondering a couple of questions?

Northbound through the tunnel(s), you have to stop and wait for the barriers to open before proceeding...

Southbound over the bridge, you have no interruption whatsoever...

So clearly two different sets of technology deployed for number plate recognition, why? I mean why not implement the southbound system in both ways and keep the traffic flowing?

Also you have to pay the toll before midnight on the day of the crossing - this is simple enough, but I just checked that my payments actually registered against my crossings (ever the sceptic...) and this occurred:

Northbound crossing on the 25th May, Payment on the 26th registered against that one...
Southbound crossing on the 26th May, Payment on the 25th registered against that one...

So I'm in the clear... but just a funny ordering, seems a bit odd

any thoughts?

[martine]

Just a thought...are they using the barriers to control traffic flow? Was it congested?

[gannet]

Just a thought...are they using the barriers to control traffic flow? Was it congested?

I had thought that, but it wasnt particularly busy, and the only queues there were... were caused by the barriers. It's 4 lanes on approach, 4 lanes through 2 tunnels. It does fan out so that 4 lanes becomes something like 16 lanes through barriers... but then filters back down to 4...

I just don't understand why you'd use two technologies

edit...

found this:

The scheme
For safety reasons, traffic management measures that include a system of traffic signals and barriers will be used on the approach to the northbound tunnels.

There will also be substantial physical change at the Crossing as existing toll booths are removed and a new road layout is introduced. The main construction work will start after the introduction of Dart Charge and is due to be completed by spring 2015.

Source...

so it's for safety, still odd though...

[martine]

Just remembered seeing a 'traffic cops' type program recently...they use ANPR to pick up all sorts of dodgy vehicles and drivers - the barriers mean they can temporarily stop the queues to nab them. I believe they also check the size of vehicles automatically to make sure they aren't going to cause a problem. Doesn't explain why they only do it one-way though.

[jont]

I imagine the barriers are more so that if there's a problem in the tunnels, they stop more traffic piling in behind it.

[Garrison]

Also you have to pay the toll before midnight on the day of the crossing - this is simple enough, but I just checked that my payments actually registered against my crossings (ever the sceptic...) and this occurred:

Northbound crossing on the 25th May, Payment on the 26th registered against that one...
Southbound crossing on the 26th May, Payment on the 25th registered against that one...

So I'm in the clear... but just a funny ordering, seems a bit odd

any thoughts?

Yes, the IT payment system is very odd. I'm on auto pay and my February crossing came in my May bill, while my April crossing showed up in the April statement. Anyone care to explain how the payment system works and how it should work please?

[TheInsanity1234]

I've no idea why they wouldn't remove the barriers, so purely a guess, but wouldn't it be partly so the HA can hold traffic temporarily to allow dangerous goods to travel through the tunnel with the escorts?

Another possible reason would be to help the HA encourage traffic to the western tunnel, as I'm sure they've used the eastern tunnel as the southbound crossing when crossing the bridge was too risky due to bad weather?

May be entirely wrong, so don't take my word as fact

[Carbon Based]

May be entirely wrong, so don't take my word as fact

When it comes to the M25 and the crossing, I'd go so far as to say it just is and leave it at that

I don't actually use the Dartford crossing that often but note that if it goes just slightly pear shaped, the tailbacks play havoc with the A2.

At the other end, the Blackwall Tunnel is seeing more and more congestion, probably related to the M25. The proposal for relief is, as far as I can tell, to build another tunnel on the same road but at a slightly different angle under the Thames.

[TheInsanity1234]

May be entirely wrong, so don't take my word as fact

When it comes to the M25 and the crossing, I'd go so far as to say it just is and leave it at that

I don't actually use the Dartford crossing that often but note that if it goes just slightly pear shaped, the tailbacks play havoc with the A2.

At the other end, the Blackwall Tunnel is seeing more and more congestion, probably related to the M25. The proposal for relief is, as far as I can tell, to build another tunnel on the same road but at a slightly different angle under the Thames.

The A13 and A127 and A12 (the only 3 major roads crossing Essex from West to East) all get major problems with congestion the second anything goes wrong at Dartford!

I'm surprised they're proposing a second tunnel as relief, I would've thought they would suggest reducing speed limits blah blah first!

[Garrison]

At the other end, the Blackwall Tunnel is seeing more and more congestion, probably related to the M25. The proposal for relief is, as far as I can tell, to build another tunnel on the same road but at a slightly different angle under the Thames.

I thought the proposal for relief is to add a toll to use Blackwall Tunnel (?).

[gannet]

I imagine the barriers are more so that if there's a problem in the tunnels, they stop more traffic piling in behind it.

yes I can see that, guess it's less of a problem on the bridge

[Angus]

The A13 and A127 and A12 (the only 3 major roads crossing Essex from West to East) all get major problems with congestion the second anything goes wrong at Dartford!

I'm surprised they're proposing a second tunnel as relief, I would've thought they would suggest reducing speed limits blah blah first!

Rest assured, the A12 does not need problems on the M25 to go tits up

[Improving driver]

Haven't yet used the crossing since the new payment method came into force. Looked online and paid for two crossings which should cover me for next weekend's ADUK Essex day, I read the prepayments are valid up to twelve months, I hope so, has anyone experience of using this payment method?

[skodatezzer]

Haven't yet used the crossing since the new payment method came into force. Looked online and paid for two crossings which should cover me for next weekend's ADUK Essex day, I read the prepayments are valid up to twelve months, I hope so, has anyone experience of using this payment method?

It's worked for me a couple of times now.

[Angus]

Haven't yet used the crossing since the new payment method came into force. Looked online and paid for two crossings which should cover me for next weekend's ADUK Essex day, I read the prepayments are valid up to twelve months, I hope so, has anyone experience of using this payment method?

It's easier (and cheaper) to set up an account - top up £10 at a time is done automatically and it covers all the vehicles in the household (3 cars & a Lorry)

With an account, car crossings are £1.67 instead of £2.50