Traffic Radio, the Highways Agency information service on DAB digital radio, is to stage its first outside broadcast at the BBC Good Food Show Live in Birmingham.

The Highways Agency stand at the show will be promoting safe winter driving, which includes a recommendation to use free journey planning tools such as Traffic Radio. During the period of heavy snow last February, the DAB and online station saw a ten-fold increase in listeners checking to see if the roads and motorways were clear.

Reporters normally based at the Highways Agency’s National Traffic Control Centre, will present bulletins from the NEC during the show. As many as 100,000 food fans are expected to attend the five-day event. TV chefs The Hairy Bikers will also take to the digital airwaves, depending on traffic conditions.

"The switch to digital is clearing the way for new types of service," says Paul Hutton, MD of Global Traffic Network, which provides the service for the Highways Agency. "Traffic Radio is an important and unique part of the digital offer which means road users can get updates whenever they need."

Recent statistics show the number of people tuning to digital radio has increased by almost two million in the past year. The growth rate for in-car listening is expected to increase with the Digital Britain recommendation for all new vehicle radios to be digitally-enabled by 2013. More car manufacturers are now fitting DAB as standard or offering an optional extra. The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB) is also promoting in-car DAB tuners / FM adapters ahead of the Christmas market.

"We encourage people to plan their journeys and then check for updates as a way of reducing congestion. They can travel more safely, avoid delays and reduce their carbon emissions too," says Highways Agency director of customer solutions Simon Sheldon-Wilson.

"The Good Food Show at the NEC is an ideal place for us to talk to a large audience of the travelling public ahead of the winter driving season. Our message is that, just like a good meal, a good journey requires preparation too."

Traffic Radio broadcasts a continuous loop of national headlines, followed by local updates and roadworks for six regional services. Information is collected by the Highways Agency from thousands of vehicle sensors, CCTV cameras and patrols spread across England’s motorways and major A roads.

The outside broadcast will use a broadband connection to upload MP3 files from the NEC. These are then automatically added to the loop and are refreshed at least every 10 minutes during the rush hour and 20 minutes during the off-peak period.