Before spending on the scheme can be sanctioned, the systems will go forward for approval by the Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority (ITA). A recommendation to approve the scheme is expected to go before a meeting of the ITA in early February 2013.
The system will series 22 high frequency radar transmitters installed inside the three tubes of the tunnels – scanning the road surfaces to detect obstacles. Alerts will be over slow-moving or stationary traffic, pedestrians on the road or walkways, and vehicles illegally switching lanes. The system will raise an alarm, registering the exact location and type of problem, and also record an image of the incident that will be beamed to the Tunnels Police operations room.
A similar system has been in operation on the newly-opened Hindhead Tunnel on the A3 London to Portsmouth road.
