When Ofgem and NJUG panel representatives presented their views at the Smart Utility 2008 conference, everyone thought that peace had broken out and that we would receive some inspirational thoughts and opinions. Well we did receive some thoughts and opinions – but inspirational?
The main topic of conversation was the Traffic Management Act, TMA, in particular how the Act will “make new provision for regulating the carrying out of works and other activities in the street” and how this will impact on Utilities.
The problem with roads is that they have a dual purpose - they are a conduit for traffic but they are also a conduit for utilities’ assets. Utilities using this conduit are labelled “bad” because they cause traffic disruption and when they are really bad they deserve to be fined and then made an example of. So how does this play out in reality? Well, based on the panel’s thoughts, the TMA’s regulating success to date seems to be measured in how many fines have been handed out and who is the top of the “fine league”.
I suppose this comes as no surprise. What maybe is more surprising though, is that when asked how this problem could be addressed it was suggested that utilities should divert their equipment down quieter streets and should also start to consider weighing up the cost of overtime versus the scale of the fine. I bet the the utilities wish that they had thought of these ideas first.
Whether you use the roads as a utility or you are a transport user, the problem is the same in both cases – it is congestion. Pavements are congested with assets which spill over into the roads and the roads are congested with traffic. Until someone is inspirational enough to address both of these problems at the same time, then utilities will keep on paying the fines and road users will continue to simmer in a traffic jam.