Explore the technology behind eMOS, Ireland’s groundbreaking approach to safer, less congested motorways.
The M50 – a 40-kilometre orbital motorway around Dublin – and the M1 – its extension towards Belfast – are vital arteries for Ireland’s economy. However, as traffic volumes continue to rise, managing congestion and ensuring safety have become increasingly critical.
In 2023, nearly 2,000 incidents were recorded on the M50, 737 of which were traffic collisions.
The eMOS (Enhancing Motorway Operation Services) programme is tackling these challenges by creating a safer and more efficient motorway network.
Spearheaded by a partnership between Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), AECOM and Roughan & O’Donovan (ROD), this ambitious programme uses advanced technologies to streamline traffic flow, improve road safety and reduce environmental impact.
The challenge has been to create a motorway system that can address these issues in real time, making driving conditions safer and more predictable for road users.
What is eMOS and how will it improve road safety?
The eMOS programme uses a range of intelligent transportation systems (ITS) technologies to better manage motorway traffic flow.
These include the installation of a comprehensive CCTV network along the M50, allowing operators to monitor and respond to incidents rapidly.
As well as this, loop detectors installed along the motorway collect real-time traffic data. This data is integrated through the Network Intelligence Management System (NIMS), which acts as a crucial link between the Motorway Operations Control Centre (MOCC) and the actual conditions on the motorway.
Through NIMS, timely and accurate information is conveyed to drivers via the variable message signs (VMS) displayed on overhead gantries, which can also trigger variable speed limits as needed. Not only does this help streamline traffic flow, but it also minimises emissions by reducing congestion, contributing to Ireland’s broader environmental goals.
Leveraging technology for safer, smoother journeys
A key component of the eMOS programme is the pilot for Cooperative ITS (C-ITS), an emerging technology that allows vehicles to communicate directly with motorway infrastructure, and other vehicles equipped with C-ITS devices.
Through this system, which is integrated with NIMS, real-time traffic information is relayed directly to drivers via onboard units or smartphone apps, alerting them of potentially hazardous incidents on the road ahead.
Messages may include early notice of traffic jams, collisions, road works, stationary vehicles, Dublin tunnel closure, as well as severe weather warning, speed advisory and more.
By enabling instant, in-vehicle updates for drivers, the system not only enhances road safety but also contributes to smoother, more predictable journeys.
This first-of-its-kind pilot for Ireland is currently an opt-in scheme, with plans to roll out on a wider scale if successful.
Collaboration at the core
To deliver this complex programme, collaboration between AECOM, ROD and other contractors has been essential.
One of the biggest challenges has been to ensure that the new technology integrates effectively with the existing motorway infrastructure. This has required meticulous planning, particularly in redesigning and upgrading existing infrastructure like the ducting, power and telecommunication networks – some of which have been in place for decades.
By pooling expertise and skills, our multidisciplinary team is well placed to navigate these challenges, ensuring that the project is delivered efficiently, with minimal disruption to the motorway network.
Future-proofing Ireland’s motorway network
Now that the eMOS programme is complete, drivers on the M50 and M1 can expect safer journeys and more reliable travel times.
Through real-time updates on road conditions and improved traffic flow, congestion is expected to decrease, reducing the likelihood of collisions.
Furthermore, these upgrades are enabling TII to respond quicker and more effectively to incidents while also ensuring the long-term resilience and sustainability of Ireland’s motorway network.
Image courtesy of the eMOS site team