Enhancing Motorway Operation Services (eMOS) Programme

Overview

The eMOS programme enhances motorway safety, resilience, and sustainability through:

  1. Expanding the Dublin Tunnel Control Building into a state-of-the-art operations centre.

  2. Deploying Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technology on the M50, including lane control signals, VMS (Variable Message Signs), and CCTV.

  3. Implementing an adaptive system for real-time traffic monitoring and integrated road management.

The programme is phased to allow users to adjust before regulatory speed limits are introduced.

Programme Objectives

The eMOS programme will enable TII to:

  • react to real-time events on the network;
  • display lower speeds on new digital signs installed on overhead gantries in response to conditions on the motorway;
  • enhance protections for emergency responders dealing with incidents on the M50; 
  • keep road users better informed about incidents ahead and how they may affect their journey.

Background

The M50 connects Dublin Airport and Port to the national motorway network. prior to COVID-19:

  • Journeys on the M50 increased by 40% (2011–2019).

  • Daily traffic exceeded 400,000 trips, with 40% during peak hours.

  • The busiest section was between the N2 (Finglas) and N3 (Castleknock).

  • 44% of journeys were under 20 km, and 70% under 30 km.

Solution

The Motorway Operations Control Centre

The motorway operations control centre was constructed as part of an upgrade and extension to the existing Dublin Tunnel Control Building on East Wall Road. This state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology to enable real-time monitoring of the motorway network. A 3m-high, 15m-wide, 4.2-million-pixel video wall displays live feeds from the motorway CCTV camera network, allowing operators to identify incidents, zoom in on developing situations, and analyse footage before making decisions.

Separated from the main control room by a full-height glass panel is an incident management room, equipped with four screens displaying selected CCTV footage. This room provides staff with a clear view of the control centre and its main displays, serving as the coordination hub for major incident responses.

Works commenced in November 2018 and were completed in December 2020.

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Technology

The eMOS programme aims to mitigate the adverse effects of future traffic growth on safety levels on the M50 through the implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) technology on the motorway. By reducing sudden stops and optimising speed control, it aims to improve journey reliability. Similar systems are used in North America, Australia, and the UK.

Real-time data from incident detection loops, CCTV, and roadside equipment will determine optimal speeds, displayed on digital signs above lanes. These signs adjust speeds during incidents or heavy traffic to minimise congestion and collision risk.

To support this system, new infrastructure is being installed, including:

  • 19 gantries

  • 386 lane control signals

  • 64 Variable Message Signs (VMS)

  • 45 CCTV cameras

  • 54 slip road signs

This initiative is designed to create a safer, smoother driving experience on the M50.

Network Intelligence and Management System (NIMS)

The NIMS solution is designed to provide operators with a new system that provides the intelligence and functions needed to support TII’s vision of managing the motorway network effectively and efficiently, both now and in the future.

The NIMS system will support TII in delivering:

  • management of traffic flow in line with the objectives of Variable Speed Management;
  • coordination of incident responses with the emergency services and incident response units from other contractors; and
  • capturing and disseminating traffic information to road users via a variety of media, including roadside variable message signs, social media and the TII Traffic website.

Public Awareness Campaign

TII and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are rolling out a public awareness campaign to make drivers aware of the introduction of new cautionary speed signs on the M50, when they will be switched on, and the importance of following the signs to keep the M50 safe.