Leeds Wins Roads for the Future Competition

Leeds City Council and City Science win the national Roads for the Future competition.

09:55 06 November 2018

Leeds City Council and City Science have won the national Roads for the Future competition launched in January by the National Infrastructure Commission with Highways England and Innovate UK.

 

The contest was joined by 81 applicants, including Aecom, which examined how smart signals from traffic lights could cut congestion, and Arup, which proposed the use of flexible-use kerbs. Applicants were shortlisted based on the following criteria:

 

·       Focus on outcomes and next steps

 

·       Justification / evidence of benefits of idea

 

·       Justification / evidence of feasibility of idea

 

·       Quality and clarity of presentation to jury

 

Leeds City Council proposed on analysing the data gathered by digitally connected cars and use it to better manage traffic, reduce tailbacks and improve traffic light sequencing.

 

Sir John Armitt, the chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission, said: “The vehicles of tomorrow will be very different to those we see around us today. We need to make sure our roads are ready for this revolution.

 

“With such a strong shortlist narrowing down the entries was no easy task, but the ideas put forward by City Science and Leeds set them apart. I’ve been really pleased by the enthusiasm for our competition, and I hope it leads to ever-greater interest not just in the technology in the vehicles, but also in the roads they will travel on.”