M6toll ANPR trial frees up critical time for Menzies Distribution
Menzies Distribution (Menzies), the UK’s leading time-critical, national logistics partner, is the latest to trial the M6toll’s new transformational tolling system.
The Edinburgh based company, which operates more than 4,200 vehicle assets, has begun its trial with 1400 vehicles on the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system.
Time critical efficiencies are vital to the success of Menzies’ operations and joining the ANPR trial will provide the group with a seamless, end-to-end experience for its fleet, with no stopping or TAG required when using the M6toll road.
The addition of Menzies to the ANPR pilot project follows successful trials with commercial operators Wincanton and Maritime. In April, Maritime became the first M6toll business customer to pay for their journeys via the new ANPR based tolling system.
The ANPR cameras identify licence plate data, removing the need for card payments at the toll plazas and replacing them with a remote payment system. It enables non-stop end to end journeys and means customers can manage all transactions via the M6toll website, whether for a single vehicle or larger fleets spread across a number of depots.
M6toll owner, Midland Expressway Ltd, has installed the ANPR cameras as part of a transformation of the existing tolling infrastructure, that also includes a new customer relationship management system (CRM) and eCommerce system, implemented as part of a strategy to improve customer service and increase choice for customers.
Adam Purshall, Director of Fleet and Procurement at Menzies Distribution, said: “Time efficiency and innovation are at the heart of every logistics solution that Menzies develops for its commercial partners, whichever industry sector they may be in. It is important for us to be early adopters of market leading technology, so we are pleased to be trialling this exciting new system for the benefit of our customers.”
Menzies specialises in providing contract logistics, warehousing, distribution, systems integration and added value services to a wide range of customers and long-term partners. It distributes to over 30 million units across its network every week, to more than 30,000 locations each day, including newspapers and magazines, stock for major retailers, healthcare consumables and parcel delivery operators.
Julie Davies, Commercial Director at Midland Expressway Ltd said: “We are delighted to welcome Menzies Distribution as the latest business customer to join the ANPR trial.
“Menzies’s operations rely on the time critical nature of their deliveries, so the predictability and fleet efficiency savings provided by the M6toll are hugely important to them.
“The new ANPR system trial will further enhance the time critical efficiency so valued by Menzies Distribution by helping them to achieve consistent and efficient journey times when using the M6toll as their regular route.
“Our data team report a 73% increase in commercial vehicles using the M6toll between 2012 and 2020 and as we add more commercial operators to the ANPR trial and lockdown further eases, we are seeing more commercial traffic using the road.”
The new transformational tolling system is part of the wider ‘Road Ahead’ digital transformation programme, developed to support M6toll’s commitment to improving congestion and connectivity, nationally and across the West Midlands.
Read Another Article on the ANPR Trial Here.
Back to newsM6toll supports NHS ‘Big Tea’ Mental Wellbeing Project
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) Charity with a donation of £1,000 to help fund ‘Mental Wellbeing Sessions’ which allow NHS staff to take some time away from the ward and sit with a coach to take some mindfulness training. The funding has also enabled the charity to purchase tea party supplies across their hospitals so that staff could access and hold their own tea party throughout July.
The official birthday month of the NHS, celebrating 73 years of service took place during July. This has been one of the most challenging years the NHS has ever faced and therefore University Hospitals Birmingham Charity want to ensure they continue to support their hard working staff in their local NHS. The ‘NHS Big Tea’ is part of a national campaign whereby UHB Charity is encouraging staff to take a break during their busy shifts.
University Hospitals Birmingham Charity is the official charity of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. UHB Charity is an umbrella charity, made up of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital. They work across our sites to support patients, families and staff at their hospitals by providing ‘added extras’ that are over and above that which is provided by the NHS.
Laura Power; Fundraising and Communications Manager at University Hospitals Birmingham Charity said:
“On behalf of everyone at UHB Charity, and our 22,000 members of staff, I would like to say a huge thank you to M6 Toll for their incredible donation! This past 18 months has been a tough time for everyone, but in particular our NHS Superheroes who have worked tirelessly and in unfamiliar conditions. Without the generous support of corporates, such as M6 Toll, UHB Charity would not be able to support our patients, staff and families the way we do. We are so grateful for this support!
Anita Barker; Social Squad member added:
“The NHS has always been there to support our needs when we are at our lowest ebb. This past year has certainly taught us all how valuable the NHS is to us. The heroes (staff) who work in the NHS deserve to have the support they need to keep them well, enable them to recharge & off-load when they have such a hectic & demanding work load. I hope this goes someway to show our appreciation to the staff & a big thank you for all that you do. ”
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support.
Back to newsM6toll supports local NHS Maternity Bereavement Service
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Maternity Bereavement Service with a donation of £1,500 to fund comfort packs for parents who receive the devastating news that their baby has sadly passed away.
Maternity Bereavement services are accessed by parents who sadly suffer a loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. Bereavement services rely solely on the support from baby loss support charities and donations, it is not funded by the NHS. Walsall Health care have two allocated Bereavement rooms on the delivery suite. Parents will often come to the hospital for a routine check-up and it can be at this time they receive the devastating news that their baby has sadly passed away, from this point they may be admitted into hospital and will have no overnight bags or toiletries with them. The comfort packs would contain the essentials needed for an overnight stay such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel and tissues.
Specialist Bereavement Midwife Laura Atkinson at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust says; “We are delighted that Midland Expressway Ltd have chosen to support Maternity Bereavement Services. This sum of money will make such a difference to Bereavement services and ultimately the mothers, father and babies we care for. Bereavement Services are dependent on the support from charities; every penny makes a difference and enables us to provide a calm environment with amenities for parents and their families to spend time with their baby / babies following their death.”
Kay Stevens; Social Squad member added: “I am delighted that we can support such a worthwhile cause, which in turn will support many families when they need it most. I have personal experience of the brilliant work that they do each day for bereaved families. ”
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
Back to newsEarly success of M6toll’s ANPR trial sees Wincanton sign up to pilot project
Wincanton, a leading supply chain partner for British business is the latest to trial the M6toll’s new transformational tolling system.
The Wiltshire based company, have begun their trial with 550 vehicles on the new ANPR system. In the coming weeks, they plan to move their full fleet of 3500 vehicles to be ANPR facilitated, to ensure that their routing and planning systems are not hampered by a means of payment, if the M6toll route is calculated as being optimal.
Wincanton follows on from a successful trial with multimodal logistics operator Maritime, which from April, became the first M6toll business customer to pay for their journeys via the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) based tolling system. The new ANPR system is part of M6toll’s ongoing commitment to encourage time and efficiency savings for business customers, including those running large scale fleet operations.
The ANPR cameras identify license plate data, removing the need for card payments at the toll plazas and replacing them with a remote payment system. It enables seamless end to end journeys and means customers can manage all transactions via the M6toll website, whether for a single vehicle or larger fleets spread across a number of depots.
The ANPR cameras are part of the M6toll owners’, Midland Expressway Ltd, plan to transform the existing tolling infrastructure. This will also include a new customer relationship management system (CRM) and eCommerce systems, implemented as part of a strategy to drive growth and increase choice for customers.
Dave Rowlands, Wincanton Fleet Engineering Director, said: “As a leading supply chain partner for UK business, we pride ourselves on utilising technology and innovation to drive our business operations.
“The M6toll’s new ANPR system is a good example of such technological innovation and so when we were asked to join the trial it made perfect sense for us to get involved.
“As a business we use the M6toll to avoid congested routes and improve both our fuel and time efficiencies and we look forward to the ANPR trial further enhancing these benefits.”
Julie Davies, Commercial Director at Midland Expressway Ltd said: “Following on from our launch and early success with Maritime in using ANPR, we are delighted to welcome Wincanton as the latest customer to experience our new transformational tolling system.
“As a company that puts technological innovation at the heart of their operations, Wincanton are a perfect fit to trial the new ANPR system. With the size of fleet operated by Wincanton and volume of trips made, ANPR can play a crucial role in achieving greater visibility across their fleet and routes and help deliver operational efficiencies for them as a business. We look forward to adding more businesses to the ANPR trial in the coming weeks and finding out more about how Wincanton have experienced the positive benefits of the new system.”
“The M6toll is committed to ensuring the road remains the most reliable, efficient and cost-effective choice for its business customers and this pilot project is a key part of that ongoing strategic approach.”
The new tolling system is part of the wider ‘Road Ahead’ digital transformation programme, developed to support M6toll’s commitment to improving congestion and connectivity, nationally and across the West Midlands.
You can read about another M6toll Trial Here.
Back to newsM6toll provides support to local Childrens Charity
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported a local Birmingham charity with a donation of £1,000 to fund 3 new INR machines for their young members who need to regularly monitor their bloods following open heart surgery.
Young at Heart is a Charity based in Erdington who provide support to families of children with heart conditions. In 1982, a group of parents of children with Congenital Heart Disease, set up the charity to eliminate the isolation many families felt with all Trustees having something in common – a child with a poorly heart. The Founder Trustees voluntarily gave their time and energy to work alongside the services and medical care team at the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, providing much needed help to affected families. Young at Heart have raised thousands of pounds over the years to help provide a forum for families to meet socially for trips, parties and other events.
Claire Donnelly; Chair of Trustees said; “As a small Charity we are extremely grateful for this generous donation from the M6toll. The INR machines that we will be able to purchase will mean so much to the families, the children are on Warfarin following open heart surgery and will now be able to have their regular INR testing at home instead of loosing valuable time from school to attend numerous hospital appointments.”
Sheena Hawkins; Social Squad member added: “My family has personally benefited from Young at Heart and I feel strongly about the work they are doing to help cardiac children. The small patients with complicated heart defects spend many months in hospital and to have an INR machine at home means less hospital visits for families. It makes a huge difference to the child’s school attendance and also means parents need to take less time off work. The charity provide a critical support line for families and work closely with the Heart Unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital but receive no funding for this. The INR machine takes blood readings which is then communicated to the hospital for them to work out the Warfarin dosage. I am so pleased we have been able to support this charity which has had such a positive impact on my own family. ”
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
For further information about Young at Heart visit www.youngatheart.org.uk
Back to newsM6toll support local school in recognition of Mental Health Week
Midland Expressway Ltd (operators of the M6toll) have supported a local Sutton Coldfield School with a donation of £1,000 to fund a sensory garden, designed to help young children focus on their mental wellbeing.
St Nicholas Catholic Primary School have seen an increase in child anxiety following Covid-19 and are keen to focus their attention to mental health ensuring their Children feel both happy and secure. An outside wellbeing space would help support the school with nurturing classes and allow time to reflect and practice mindfulness.
The school aim to provide a warm and friendly atmosphere, in which children can feel secure and grow in confidence. St Nicholas provides an environment where excellent teaching and learning takes place.
Sarah Hale, PFA Chair: We are thrilled to have received this support from the M6toll. While the pandemic has been tough on many parents, the disruption and pressure has also been felt by our children. By creating a calm relaxing space we will provide the children with the opportunity to pray, reflect and take a step away from digital culture. The sensory prayer garden will also encourage our children to take time for their mental and spiritual wellbeing, a lesson which, learnt young will help them throughout their lives.
Sarah Loizou, M6toll’s HR & Business Services Director added: “We were extremely keen to support this project in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, especially as its focus will be to improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the children at St Nicholas RC School. Covid-19 has had a massive impact on all children, so we feel passionate about supporting this project, to enable the children to spend more time outdoors and learn more about the environment around them, ensuring they feel happy and secure.”
Midland Expressway Ltd’s (MEL) donation forms part of a wider initiative to Support Local Schools and Community Projects. MEL’s Social Squad is always on the lookout for local charities and community projects to support. To register your charity or community project with MEL for consideration to receive fundraising or practical (volunteering) support now or in the future visit www.m6toll.co.uk for further information or email d4c@m6toll.co.uk
For further information about St Nicholas Catholic Primary School visit St. Nicholas Catholic Primary School (stnicholassutton.org.uk)
Back to newsRadio singalong tops the charts as commuters return to work
Workers are returning to their daily commute and celebrating with some in-car karaoke, according to new research from the M6toll.
In a 1,000 strong poll conducted at the end of the latest lockdown, the M6toll, owned and operated by Midland Expressway Ltd, found that 38% are already back behind the wheel and commuting.
On the drive in to work, singing along to the radio is proving to be the biggest hit with over 40% citing this as their favourite thing to do.
When it comes to best sing-along driving song, Meat Loaf’s ‘Bat out of Hell’ is Top of the Pops occupying the number one spot with wannabe rockstars of the road.
For favourite DJ and radio station, it seems two’s company with Ken Bruce and his home station BBC Radio 2 ruling the airwaves on the journey into the office.
Just as popular as radio singalongs are podcasts, with more than one in three saying they enjoy the chance to catch up with their favourite audio experience.
And it’s back of the net for That Peter Crouch as he proves his Premier League class to take the title of most popular podcast.
Alongside listening to the radio and podcasts, having some peaceful time to think and being able to separate work life from home life are long-missed commuter activities, with over a third of those surveyed valuing the opportunity to create a healthy work-life balance.
Whilst on the whole most workers are enjoying their commute, there are some concerns, with 74% citing congestion as the thing they dread most about the return to the roads.
A further third are least looking forward to petrol costs, while a similar number are apprehensive about aggressive drivers turning their commute into the highway from hell during rush hour.
Julie Davies, Commercial Director at Midland Expressway Ltd said: “Our latest driver survey has lifted the lid on what drivers really think about commuting. We’ve had some fun with the facts and stats, but on a more serious note it’s fascinating to see drivers positively looking forward to commuting once again.
“The survey has given us a chance to see what impact the pandemic and the release of Lockdown 3 is having on the return of the daily commute, and it seems for many the mix of days to be spent in the office versus working from home still remains unclear. But the survey also revealed commuting has some very real benefits, such as helping people to gear up for the day ahead, or having some precious time to decompress on the drive home.
“However, it’s also clear no-one is welcoming the prospect of wasting time in slow moving traffic or getting stuck in jams. The M6toll has always been the most free-flowing, predictable and stress-free route, and we’re already seeing growing interest in our regular passes, such as FlexiPass which cuts the price of a short local trip to £2.90.”
A key part of M6toll’s focus on the driver experience is the ‘Road Ahead’ investment strategy, developed to support its commitment to reducing congestion and increasing national connectivity. The first phase of the multi-million pound ‘Road Ahead’ scheme is a new ANPR system, which in April saw Maritime trucks being the first fleet to trial the technology.
To read more, check out Another M6toll Article Here.
Back to newsMaritime’s fleet first to trial M6toll’s transformational ANPR tolling system
The M6toll’s new transformational tolling system goes live this week, with commercial vehicles set to be the first to use it.
Maritime, one of the UK’s largest logistics operators, will send trucks from its fleet onto the M6toll road on Thursday 8 April, to officially commence live trials of the new ANPR based tolling system.
The company’s trucks will be the first vehicles to pay for their journeys on the M6toll via the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) based tolling system. Following Maritime’s trial, a number of other logistics operators will join the pilot project over the coming weeks and months.
ANPR cameras will identify license plate data, removing the need for card payments at the toll plazas and replacing them with a remote payment system. It will enable seamless end to end journeys and mean customers can manage all transactions via the M6toll website, whether for a single vehicle or larger fleets spread across a number of depots.
The ANPR cameras are part of M6toll owners’, Midland Expressway Ltd, plan for a multi-million-pound investment to transform the existing tolling infrastructure. This will also include a new customer relationship management system (CRM) and eCommerce systems, implemented as part of a strategy to drive growth and increase choice for customers.
Paul Heyhoe, Fleet Director at Maritime, said: “We are delighted to be the first business to trial the new ANPR based M6tolling system.
“The M6toll already provides an invaluable route through the Midlands by avoiding congestion on local routes and the addition of this new technology will help to further enhance that journey experience.
“With the new ANPR cameras offering a centralised user system, it means our fleet is ready to roll as soon as they leave the depots. For our drivers, it will provide a hassle-free experience end to end on the M6toll, with no stopping at the plazas so further efficiencies delivered during their journeys.
“We look forward to being the first operator to experience the new technology and to provide feedback on how the new tolling system works for a business.”
Julie Davies, Commercial Director at Midland Expressway Ltd said: “We welcome Maritime as our first customer to experience the new transformational tolling system.
“The M6toll has a commitment to ensuring the road remains the most reliable, efficient and cost-effective choice for HGV and commercial fleet operators, and this pilot project is another key part of that ongoing strategic approach.
“The new tolling system is part of the wider ‘Road Ahead’ digital transformation programme we have in place for the M6toll, where we will be upgrading not only the tolling technology on the road itself, but also the customer service systems we use behind the scenes. We are committed to providing hassle-free journeys and outstanding customer service and continuing to invest in the most innovative technology available is central to delivering on that promise.”
The M6toll’s long-term ‘Road Ahead’ investment strategy has been developed to support its commitment to improving congestion and connectivity, nationally and across the West Midlands.
Since its inception in 2001, Maritime has grown into one of the largest privately-owned intermodal transport operators in the UK.
Specialising in container transport to begin with, Maritime has diversified over the years to provide complete supply chain coverage through a wide range of services.
To read more, check out Another M6toll Article Here.
Back to newsM6toll unveils programme to introduce ‘world class’ tolling system
M6toll is to launch the first phase in a transformation of its existing tolling system infrastructure.
The multi-million pound project will see Midland Expressway Ltd, which operates the M6toll, introduce a ‘world class’ tolling system, designed to enhance the user experience and deliver further time efficiencies for those using the road.
It will include installing roadside Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras on the M6toll to identify vehicle license plates in order to facilitate seamless, contactless travel on the road.
A new customer relationship management (CRM) back office system and eCommerce systems will also be implemented, to ensure smooth and efficient operations and improved customer service for the 50,000 drivers who use the road each day.
As part of the first project phase, Midland Expressway Ltd (MEL) has appointed leading global design consultancy Stantec as their Design Services Partner to lead the transformational programme to refurbish the tolling system.
The first wave of ANPR cameras on the M6toll will go live in April, initially as a pilot project for vans and trucks invited to take part in the trial, before being gradually introduced for use by all other road users during the roll-out of the programme.
The new technology will enhance M6toll’s suite of ‘Savers’ products, that include the Hopper, Shuttle and FlexiPass options. The ‘Savers’ options have successfully attracted new trips since they were first introduced in 2018, by offering a range of options for those regularly using the road and helping to reduce congestion on alternative routes.
Andy Cliffe, MEL Chief Executive, said: “The investment in the new infrastructure will deliver a world class tolling system, enhancing the customer experience, improving further our strong record of journey time savings and reliability, and increasing the appeal of the road for new users.
“Following a rigorous selection process involving sector leading companies from around the globe, Stantec has been commissioned to carry out the project. As a world leading consultancy, Stantec are responsible for supporting the delivery of some of the best constructed and most technically efficient tolling systems available and we look forward to working with them to deliver a similar standout project for the M6toll.
“The new tolling system is part of the wider ‘Road Ahead’ digital transformation programme which will improve operational efficiencies and further focus the business on the needs of our customers and the businesses and communities we serve. Deploying the most innovative technology is central to ensuring we deliver efficient, hassle free journeys for the 50,000 drivers who rely on us each day.”
Dougie McDonald, Director for Transport in the UK, said: “As MEL’s Design Services Partner, Stantec will deliver in-depth and high-quality expertise from the conceptual planning through to the detailed design and implementation phases of the project.
“The Stantec team, which includes engineers, tolling, and technology specialists from the UK and the US, is proud to be working with MEL to implement the latest technology and approaches to ensure this transformational programme delivers real benefits, in terms of safety, price and efficiency, for motorists.”
As Design Services Partner, Stantec will assist MEL with the procurement of one or more Implementation Service Partners and provide project management services during the implementation and delivery of the new tolling system. Organisations can register their interest in providing the upgraded systems by emailing M6TollDSP@Stantec.com.
Stantec is an international leader in transportation with specialised expertise in managing the delivery of roadside and back office tolling systems around the world. They offer a full range of toll technology services ranging from strategic planning and cost forecasting to business rules and requirements development, request for proposal preparation and procurement assistance, system design and software development oversight, independent verification and validation testing, and system performance monitoring after go-live.
Stantec currently serves as the overall programme manager for a multi-million-dollar modernisation of the Ohio Turnpike in the USA that will introduce non-stop tolling across the 241-mile corridor as well as a new world class back office system and customer self-service website.
Check out another article on the Latest Changes to our Tolling System Here.
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