Owen Williams

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Network communications applications support team (NCAST)

The challenge

The Highways Agency maintains, operates and improves the network of trunk roads and motorways in England. At any one time several telematics related projects can be in progress. These projects rely on making the best use of the existing network through the use of technology. The success or failure of these projects depends on the organizational and technical expertise of key individuals and skills being applied at the correct point in the project. Moreover, the need to successfully co-ordinate activities within and across projects has a major safety impact on road users and on the reliability of the network.

The solution

In order to support these various projects and initiatives it is necessary to have available a team with the necessary skills and expertise.

Owen Williams is one of the UK's most experienced suppliers of professional consultancy services for highway design and maintenance management and currently works with a number of UK local authorities, many civil engineering contractors and the Highways Agency. Owen Williams and IPL submitted the winning bid for NCAST and were duly awarded a 3 to 5 year contract by the Highways Agency.

IPL supports the Owen Williams NCAST team by offering:

• Detailed knowledge of the systems, motorway communications design, networks, site data design and administration and the latest developments such as Active Traffic Management (ATM) and Regional Control Centres (RCCs)
• Continuous involvement with Highways Agency specifications, new procedures and Change Control Boards
• The ability to undertake workshops to develop ideas and implement improvements and participate in Working Parties, User Groups and Discussion Forums
• Extensive experience in performing acceptance testing, commissioning and design reviews, testing and software audits
• On-going involvement with the TechMAC, e-Mac and ATM teams and liaising with Design, Build, Finance and Operate (DBFO) and National Roads Telecommunication Services (NRTS) organisations.

The highlights

IPL has in-depth knowledge of network communications and an excellent appreciation of the telematics applications, systems software and data configurations.

Together with Owen Williams, IPL adopts a policy of continuous improvement and proactive assistance to the Highways Agency and stakeholders. This is of particular relevance when co-ordination across several organizations and disciplines is paramount.

Dennis Hill, Owen Williams' Divisional Director said

“I am delighted to announce that, with IPL as our partner, we have successfully retained the NCAST commission with the Highways Agency in Bristol. This success anchors our aspirations for our fast growing telematics business.”