The Traffic Scotland Media page aims to provide media users with Traffic Scotland branding material and
information that can be used within media broadcasts and news stories.
What information are you interested in?
The Traffic Scotland Service
Transport Scotland
is the national transport agency for Scotland. It is a
Scottish Government agency
directly accountable to Scottish Ministers. The Chief Executive is directly accountable to the Transport Minister.
The following provides information regarding Transport Scotlands policies on traveller information and how the Traffic
Scotland service is used to deliver these policies.
National Transport Strategy
The Scottish Government's National Transport Strategy (NTS) outlines the policy framework for traveller information
provision in Scotland. Its key priorities are:
- Better journey times, better reliability
- Improved connections across Scotland
- Greener transport alternatives, reduced emissions
- Increased safety, more innovation
The NTS assigns high priority to the provision of travel information and Transport Scotland is committed to
delivering continuous improvement to these services. The provision of good consumer transport advice e.g. the
promotion of travel and journey planning offers the potential through reduction in the use of the car and greater
uptake of public transport journeys to deliver outcomes on a number of key Scottish Government policy objectives
Traffic Scotland Service
The Traffic Scotland service delivers traveller information through a process of 'monitor, control and inform'.
- Monitor: The Traffic Scotland service monitors the network using CCTV, roadside hardware, communication with
the police, weather forecasts and major event management services.
- Control: All information collected through the monitoring process is processed within the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre.
The Traffic Scotland National Control Centre operates 24 hours a day to ensure that traffic and travel information disseminated
as part of the Traffic Scotland service is accurate.
- Inform: Traffic and travel information processed by the Traffic Scotland National Control Centre is then disseminated
via the Traffic Scotland service, including the Traffic Scotland website, the Traffic Customer Care Line,
the Traffic Scotland mobile website,
road side Variable Message Signs (VMS) and via the multiple Traffic Scotland data services available to
public, corporate and media users.
Transport Scotland delivers travel information to the public through the Traffic Scotland service.
Traffic Scotland Website
The Traffic Scotland website provides the travelling public with real-time traffic information on the Scottish
Motorway and Trunk Road network. It provides up to date information to the travelling public about current and
planned road works, accidents, journey times, live traffic camera views, congestion, weather events, park and ride
facilities, a carbon calculator etc. The website supports drivers in making informed choices as to the timing,
routing and travel mode for current or future journeys. It also signposts drivers to public transport options
particularly when there is heavy demand on the network or adverse weather conditions. This in turn helps reduce
the disruption caused by incidents, minimises the effects of congestion and thereby improves the safety and
efficiency of the road network.
The Traffic Scotland website has the following features:
For further information on Traffic Scotland data services view the
Traffic Scotland Developer Area
Freight Scotland Information
The Freight Scotland information page
aims to provide the freight industry with specific traffic and transport information
for hauliers and commercial users of the trunk road network in Scotland. The page provides details of current incidents,
roadworks and planned roadworks as well as locations and contact details for industrial estates, rail heads, ports and
airports across Scotland.
For further information see the Freight Scotland information page.
Traveline Scotland
Traveline is Scotland’s national public transport information service. The organisation aims to provide accurate, up-to-date and impartial
timetable information to allow passengers to reach their destination by the quickest public transport route, or by the mode or operator
of their choice.
Traveline provides timetables, personalised journey planning, departure times and disruption information for all bus, coach, rail, ferry,
subway and tram services in Scotland. This can be accessed through their website, award-winning mobile apps and Scottish-based call centre.
The travelinescotland.com website offers the full range of public transport information services, including disruption information and
personalised journey alerts. Traveline Scotland’s award-winning mobile apps also offer public transport journey planning, travel news and
access to the Traffic Scotland mobile service - including Traffic Scotland Radio. The apps are available for Android, iOS, Windows Phone,
BlackBerry 10 and Kindle devices. The Traveline Scotland call centre is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 0871 200 22 33. Trained
advisers provide multi-modal personalised public transport information and travel advice to callers. Calls cost 12p per minute plus the
relevant phone company’s access charge.
Traveline Scotland was set up in 2000 as a private company limited by shares, comprising major transport operators and local authorities.
These partners contribute funds, information and expertise towards the day-to-day running of the Traveline Scotland call centre, online and
mobile app services. The Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, provides annual funding for the company’s data management contract.
The Agency also provides additional ad hoc grant support for enhancements which maintain and improve the service.
More information is available at travelinescotland.com
Traffic Customer Care Line
As from 1st December 2007, an improved Traffic Customer Care Line was launched by Transport Scotland for customers
seeking information on road conditions or to report problems on the national trunk roads network across Scotland.
The integration of these services supports two key policy objectives of the Scottish Government and key commitments
in the National Transport Strategy i.e. effective management of the road network and encouraging modal shift (from
car to public transport). Both services are delivered and integrated within a single call centre delivered by
Traveline Scotland’s call centre provider BeCogent Limited based in Airdrie.
The new style of service now offers a one stop 'on the move' travel information service through one call centre.
This combines information for motorway and trunk road network users with those looking for public transport options.
Both the integration and the provision of an 'always open' public transport information service is unique in the UK.
The enhanced service encourages the 'hand over' of road users to a public transport option when they
are calling about roadworks, congestion, planned events etc and also enable advice on public transport to take
account of what is happening on the Scottish motorway and trunk road network.
For further information on the Traffic Customer Care Line view the
Traffic Customer Care Line information page.
Further Information for Publication
The Welcome page and
About Us page
feature an overview of the Traffic Scoland website and its aims.
The following promotional material is available for media users to use within articles and news stories.
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User Feedback
Traffic Scotland values the feedback provided by its users and makes a point of responding to all feedback
submitted. User feedback is a valuable resource for ensuring that the service meets the needs and
expectations of its users and, on a number of occasions, has led to the enhancement of existing features
on the website as well as new developments.
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What data services does Traffic Scotland provide?
For further information on Traffic Scotland data services view the Traffic Scotland Developer Area.
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Press Enquiries
For press enquiries, please visit Transport Scotland for contact details.
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