What’s a contraflow system?
The phrase ‘contra’ means in opposition to or reverse. A contraflow system is the place a site visitors lane flows in the other way than regular.
For example, this might be a contraflow bus lane touring in the other way to the remainder of the site visitors on a one-way road.
There are nevertheless different examples of the place a contraflow system could also be put in place, both quickly or completely on UK roads.
This information explains the place contraflow lanes and programs are used, together with relevant highway indicators, useful for these finding out and taking the speculation check.
Contraflow bus lanes
The place would you see a contraflow bus lane is a typical query on the driving principle check. You’ll usually see a contraflow bus lane on a one-way road, the place the bus lane flows in the other way to the encompassing lanes. The diagram to the left represents a contraflow bus lane together with the blue signal that gives instruction to highway customers.
See blue highway indicators for additional data on indicators that present instruction.
Contraflow bus lanes are often positioned in busy metropolis areas and are used to permit a bus essentially the most direct route and to assist in avoiding routes that endure from site visitors congestion.
Contraflow cycle lanes
Contraflow cycle lanes could both run independently of bus lanes, or the bus and cycle lane could merge which implies it may be utilized by each buses and pedal cyclists.
Advantages of contraflow cycle lanes
The advantages of contraflow cycle lanes is the security of cyclists. Contraflow cycle lanes will be included into slim, one-way back-streets permitting cyclists to journey in both course, typically avoiding busy principal roads. Contraflow cycle lanes lower journey time in comparison with a automobile which may solely journey in a single course.
This makes biking a higher various to utilizing the automobile, lowering the variety of autos on the highway. As contraflow cycle lanes enable the bike owner to journey in each instructions, this reduces the quantity of cyclists who journey on the pavement.
Motorway contraflow programs
Main routes corresponding to motorways and twin carriageways are among the many UK’s most secure roads as they make the most of with-flow lanes, or site visitors lanes that solely movement in the identical course. Often nevertheless, carriageways want repairs or upkeep which frequently ends in highway works. If one facet of the carriageway is restricted or closed for works, site visitors could also be directed onto the opposite facet of the carriageway leading to a contraflow.
The place a contraflow is in place, you can be separated by site visitors cylinders from oncoming autos. There’ll seemingly be a compulsory or advisory velocity restrict discount. Make sure you select the suitable lane in good time and cut back your velocity in good time as lanes are sometimes narrower in a contraflow system.
Automobiles, particularly massive autos could typically want to cut back velocity to navigate the contraflow system. make sure you maintain a protected distance from the autos in entrance.
- See highway works indicators for the assorted sorts of momentary highway works indicators and their meanings.
Highway indicators check quiz
The speculation check typically entails questions on contraflow bus and cycle lanes and contraflow programs on main routes. Take the speculation check highway signal check quiz to check your information.
OTHER TYPES OF ROAD SIGNS
