Highways chiefs are tapping into data transmitted by modern internet-enabled cars, in a bid to make the county's roads safer.

Typically, modern cars collect and transmit a range of data over the internet, which can include a vehicle's GPS location, speed and engine diagnostics.

Highways chiefs in Hertfordshire are now using GPS data from these connected vehicles to help improve the efficiency of the transport network.

Officials say the anonymised data is used to give a "detailed and realistic picture" of how people use the county's roads.

And that "detailed" picture is then used by the county council to make "better informed decisions".

Confirming its use, a spokesperson for the county council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "As part of our transport planning, congestion analysis and identification of road safety concerns, we use anonymised road speed data from Ordnance Survey to give us a detailed and realistic picture of how people are using our road network.

"This detailed but anonymous data, derived from GPS in vehicles, allows us to understand how traffic actually moves at different times of day, helping us to make better-informed decisions to improve journey times, safety, and overall network efficiency."

The council's use of GPS data from connected vehicles emerged following the publication of Hertfordshire's draft Road Safety Strategy.

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In line with national targets, the latest strategy aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Hertfordshire roads by 65% – or 70% for those 16 and under – by 2035.

It highlights the "carefully governed use of connected vehicle data and privacy-preserving AI methods", as a means to understand speed compliance, risky locations and near-miss patterns.

Although AI, it says, will only be used "where it adds value, is explainable, and respects privacy and equality duties".

The strategy, which was backed by the latest meeting of the county council's cabinet last week (June 17), will now be subject to public consultation.

As well as the stated aim to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Hertfordshire roads by 65% by 2035, the strategy stresses that the long-term vision is for zero deaths and instances of serious harm on the county's roads.

And it says the county is working towards a future where "road danger is dramatically reduced" and where "every journey strengthens healthier, safer, and more connected communities".

It adopts a so-called 'safe system' approach, which is based around 'safe roads and places', 'safe road users', 'safe speeds', 'safe vehicles' and 'post crash response'.

'Safe roads and places' focuses on the design and maintenance of the highway. And 'safe road users' focuses on encouraging and enforcing safe behaviours.

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'Safe speeds' looks at the creation of speed limits that are "appropriate" to the environment. And 'safe vehicles' is about making sure vehicle fleets are safe.

'Post crash response' focuses on the fast response to and follow-up after serious collisions.

According to the strategy, progress towards the target to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% will be tracked against absolute numbers but also as a rate against vehicle-miles travelled.

"This helps us understand changes in risk even when travel patterns shift, for example, through population growth, changes in commuting or increases in freight movement," says the strategy.

"Using both counts and rates gives a fuller picture of how safe our roads really are.

"This is a challenging target, but it reflects the scale of harm we are working to prevent.

"Achieving it will require effort from everyone – partners, businesses, communities and each of us as individuals.

"It will move us significantly closer to our long-term vision of a Hertfordshire where nobody is killed or seriously injured on our roads, and where people feel safe and confident to travel in ways that support healthier, more connected lives."

The strategy has been drafted by Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership, which is chaired by the police and crime commissioner.

Membership of the Partnership also includes the tri-force roads policing, Hertfordshire Police, Herts Fire and Rescue, Herts County Council, National Highways, the East of England Ambulance Service and the Road Victims Trust Charity.