Operational Technology Strategy
Our 2035 strategy
Building the strategy
Technology underpins all the work we do at National Highways and across our supply chain. Operational technology is specifically used to operate and enable maintenance of the strategic road network and can be found at the roadside and in our regional operations centres.
Over time, it is expected that some specialists technologies will become more mainstream and may also be employed for a broader range of applications.
This strategy sets our vision and plans for maintaining our current operational technology infrastructure and how it will be used in the future to meet changing needs, deliver improved services and value for money.
Mark Austin - Head of Operational Technology Systems Engineering
Our vision is for operational technology to bring trusted, sought after, timely, relevant information, to the heart of our customers’ experience. This information will help us deliver world leading personalised services.
Operational technology has helped us make great strides in what we deliver to our customers and workforce, providing reliable services to allow them to be safe, and enabling us to tailor services. However, we must also consider that the demand for our service is increasing due to changes in customer needs and the technology employed in delivering mobility.
Customers are demanding more interaction with our network and want highly reliable information to be available almost instantly. At the same time we are managing our legacy technology estate whilst seeking to deliver for our customers in the most cost-effective way for the taxpayer.
We are also aware of the environmental and ecological impact of our operations, and seek to minimise its effects for future generations. Wider environmental trends will also change the way we will operate the strategic road network in the future, for example, how we deal with extreme weather conditions.
A digital world
Technological developments in the vehicle fleets that use our network will require us to adapt our own infrastructure and services. This will present opportunities to reduce the amount of roadside infrastructure we need to use and maintain, offering significant safety and cost benefits.
However, we will need to be able to process more data to provide personalised travel support to our customers.
Changes in propulsion may require us to be able to manage demand for charging and refuelling facilities at our motorway service stations.
Implementing our strategy
Our challenge areas have been organised to allow for natural grouping of activities necessary for our transformation. This enables us to maintain our focus in the implementation of future programmes and projects developed from our initiatives. Our series of initiatives will help us move towards our vision. Our implementation plan, which is in development, supports these initiatives and the strategy:
Safety
Support the business in achieving its Home Safe and Well vision through the optimisation of operational technology
Net zero
Quantify the whole life carbon impact and benefits for operational technology
Connecting customers
Improve availability, and maximise the quality, of our current information channels
Legislation and regulation
Understand how legislation and regulation affects operational technology (and ensure compliance)
Technology
Develop, publish and maintain technology roadmaps to aid planning
Efficiencies
Agree operational technology governance and responsibilities and seek greater benefit from our data and technology
Collaboration
Increase our participation in industry working groups and engagement.
Safety
Continue to enhance the speed of response to incidents on the strategic road network.
Net zero
Tailor procurement and deployment strategies to reduce carbon impacts.
Connecting customers
Expand the range of information channels for customers. Gain more granular and real-time insights into our customers’ journeys.
Legislation and regulation
Proactively shape and adopt new legislation and regulation.
Technology
Fully align with industry standards. Complete alignment with business services.
Efficiencies
Streamline the process taking operational technology service requirements through to deployment.
Collaboration
Develop manufacturer relationships to inform our future. Lead UK’s Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) developments.
Safety
Eliminate implementation of roadside technology requiring on-site maintenance.
Net zero
Optimise service deployment to minimise carbon impacts.
Connecting customers
Significantly influence the journeys our customers make based on their needs.
Legislation and regulation
Be a leading advocate of regulatory change to support in-vehicle technology.
Technology
Reduce and, where possible, eliminate the need for roadside technology in favour of C-ITS solutions.
Efficiencies
World leading seamless end to end management of operational technology services.
Collaboration
Integrated working with other transport authorities to provide seamless services.
Further details about our ambitions can be found on page 14 of our Operational Technology Strategy (PDF 4962kb)
Impact of operation technology
Find out how this might affect your area by following the links below:
How does this affect me as a maintainer of the network?
The strategy will help me to:
1. understand our direction
The strategy sets out our objectives and targets for operational technology over the next 15 years. This includes how we’ll adapt to changes in technology, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, while continuing to deliver services to our customers.
By understanding our strategic direction, I can work more effectively with my colleagues to achieve our objectives, to the benefit of our customers.
2. develop my processes and practices
In support of the strategy, Digital Services is mapping out the current operational technology estate and identifying how it will evolve in the future to deliver improved services to our customers, identifying future maintenance requirements.
As a maintainer, I’m relied upon to sustain the infrastructure we need to deliver services to our customers. The strategy will help me to better understand procurement, contract and handover processes for operational technology.
- Safety
- Net zero
- Connecting customers
- Collaboration
- Efficiencies
- Legislation and Regulation
- Technology
Developments in operational technology will result in:
1. improved safety
Developments in operational technology should result in network assets having a longer lifespan. As we aspire to reach a zero-maintenance road network and minimise the time my colleagues and I spend at the roadside, we’ll need to be really involved with the whole lifecycle of technology, from procurement through to planning for obsolescence.
We’re also aiming to reduce the number of roadside technology assets we need to maintain by using alternative solutions, which will help us to make huge strides in our Zero Harm initiative by improving safety for those who currently work by the roadside.
2. collaboration and efficiencies
We’re looking to continually improve how technology is procured, tested and handed over into operations and maintenance, for example through the Operational Technology Commercial Framework and improvements to how we test new products and services. This will impact on how I maintain operational technology and build effective relationships with other parts of our organisation.
3. technology improvements
The production of roadmaps to plan out the future of our technology will help me to understand how the changes will happen. I’ll have a better understanding of how our technology is aligned with industry standards and how we’re looking to make improvements as we progress through the life of the strategy.
Next steps:
To deliver the strategy Digital Services is producing an implementation plan which will turn its high-level objectives into activities, projects and plans. This will be shared as the work begins and we’ll be in contact to discuss any changes which may affect your role.
How does this affect me as an operator of the network?
The strategy will help me to:
1. understand our direction
The strategy sets out our objectives and targets for operational technology over the next 15 years. This includes how we’ll adapt to changes in technology, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, while continuing to deliver services to our customers.
By understanding our strategic direction, I can work more effectively with my colleagues to achieve our objectives, to the benefit of our customers.
2. develop my processes and practices
As an operator, I'm relied upon to help ensure incidents are managed effectively and that the network is functioning at its best. The strategy will help me to understand the tools and technologies I can use now and in the future to carry out my role.
In support of the strategy, Digital Services is developing roadmaps to capture the current operational technology estate and identify how it will evolve in the future to deliver improved services to our customers.
- Safety
- Net zero
- Connecting customers
- Collaboration
- Efficiencies
- Legislation and Regulation
- Technology
Developments in operational technology will result in:
1. better connected customers
In the future we’ll use operational technology to communicate directly with customers through connected vehicles. This has the potential to change how I operate the network and decrease incidents and congestion. It also creates opportunities for me to use more accurate and reliable data to better understand what’s happening on the network and allows us to significantly influence the journeys our customers make based on their needs.
2. changing technology and improved safety
As operational technology evolves, the systems and technologies that I use to operate the network will change. Automation could increase efficiency, reduce my response time and improve real-time accuracy of information for incidents, allowing customers to make informed decisions.
As an operator, I’ll need to understand when these new technologies will become available, the impact and benefits they’ll have on my day-to-day role and how I’ll need to upskill myself to keep up to date with evolving requirements.
Next steps
To deliver the strategy Digital Services is producing an implementation plan which will turn its high-level objectives into activities, projects and plans. This will be shared as the work begins and we’ll be in contact to discuss any changes which may affect your role.
How does this affect me as I modernise the network?
The strategy will help me to:
1.understand our direction
The strategy sets out our objectives and targets for operational technology over the next 15 years. This includes how we’ll adapt to changes in technology, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, while continuing to deliver services to our customers.
By understanding our strategic direction, I can work more effectively with my colleagues to achieve our objectives, to the benefit of our customers.
2. identify innovation opportunities for the future
In support of the strategy, Digital Services is mapping out the current operational technology estate and identifying how it will evolve moving forwards to deliver improved services to our customers.
As a moderniser, I’m relied upon to identify and use industry-notable practice here in the UK and further afield, as well as innovations to better deliver services to our customers. The strategy will help me understand the future plans for operational technology and how these could affect the schemes I work on.
- Safety
- Net zero
- Connecting customers
- Collaboration
- Efficiencies
- Legislation and Regulation
- Technology
Developments in operational technology will result in:
1. technology innovation opportunities
As operational technology develops, it presents new opportunities to modernise our network. I’ll work with my colleagues across the organisation to support innovation and the use of new technology to improve safety, delivery and customer experience.
2. collaboration and efficiencies
We’re looking to continually improve how technology is procured, tested and handed over into operations and maintenance, for example through the Operational Technology Commercial Framework (OTCF) and improvements to how we test new products and services.
This will impact on how I design, develop or deliver operational technology and how I work with other parts of our organisation and supply chain to feedback and implement new and improved technologies.
Next steps
To deliver the strategy Digital Services is producing an implementation plan which will turn its high-level objectives into activities, projects and plans. This will be shared as the work begins and we’ll be in contact to discuss any changes which may affect your role.
How does this affect me as a supplier to the network?
The strategy will help me to:
1. understand our direction
The strategy sets out National Highways’ objectives and targets for operational technology over the next 15 years. This includes how it will adapt to changes in technology, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, while continuing to deliver services to its customers.
As a supplier, by understanding National Highways’ strategic direction, I can work more effectively with the organisation to the benefit of its customers, the road users.
2. develop my products and services
In support of the strategy, National Highways is mapping out the current operational technology estate and identify how it will evolve to deliver improved services to its customers.
As a supplier, I provide the products and services National Highways needs to deliver services to its customers. The strategy and roadmaps will help me to develop my own products and services to ensure I can continue to provide value for many years to come.
- Safety
- Net zero
- Connecting customers
- Collaboration
- Efficiencies
- Legislation and Regulation
- Technology
Developments in operational technology will result in:
1. technology innovation opportunities
As operational technology develops it presents new opportunities to improve the National Highways network. I’ll develop my products and services to take advantage of the latest innovation and technology to improve safety, delivery and customer experience, helping National Highways to meet its strategic goals.
2. collaboration and efficiencies
National Highways is looking to continually improve how technology is procured, tested and handed over into operations and maintenance, for example through the Operational Technology Commercial Framework and a revised testing service wrap. This will impact on how my products and services are procured, tested and commissioned.
I’ll support National Highways in the move to seamless end-to-end management of operational technology services, improving the efficiency of how we work together in the industry.
Next steps
To deliver the strategy Digital Services is producing an implementation plan which will turn its high-level objectives into activities, projects and plans. This will be shared as the work begins and we’ll be in contact to discuss any changes which may affect your relationship with National Highways.
How does this affect me as a customer?
The strategy will help me to:
1. understand our direction
The strategy sets out National Highways’ objectives and targets for operational technology over the next 15 years. This includes how it will adapt to changes in technology, such as connected and autonomous vehicles, while continuing to deliver services to its customers.
As a customer, by understanding National Highways’ strategic direction, I can see how the road network will change and improve over time with investment in operational technology.
2. understand how my experience on the network will change
As a customer, I use the strategic road network to travel around the country. New technologies will improve the quality of information and methods of communication National Highways can use to inform me of changes or disruption while I travel on the network.
Developments in operational technology will result in:
1. improvements to how important information is communicated
A key theme of the Operational Technology Strategy is ‘connecting customers’, which is all about understanding road users’ needs and providing them with the right information at the right time to inform their journeys.
For example, the development of connected and automated vehicle technology will allow information to be sent directly to vehicles instead of displaying it on roadside signs, which can make the roads safer, reduce congestion and decrease the network’s carbon footprint.
2. changes to how I drive on the network
As new technology becomes available, the way that I interact with the road network will change, improving safety and efficiency of travel. For example, if I own a connected vehicle, I may start to receive messages about congestion or incidents directly as this technology is adopted.
