York Tech Tackles Air Pollution and Tailbacks

York introduces pioneering technology to tackle tailbacks and pollution

16:16 10 June 2021

York is the first city in the UK to use computer modeling to manage the city's historic road network. 

 

The pioneering technology is the first real-time transport model of this scale to be used in the United Kingdom. It involves the use of more than 100 live traffic flow sensors, live speed data provided by TomTom, 100 live signal controllers and up-to-date information about roadworks. 

 

The network is monitored via CCTV cameras and social media feeds allowing operators and transport engineers to implement signal changes manually to better manage traffic flows particularly in busy periods. 

 

The council’s head of programmes and smart place, Dave Atkinson, said: “We’re delighted to be the first city in the UK to introduce this innovative and cutting-edge technology to improve journeys and reduce pollution in York. At this early stage it’s already proving to be a success.

 

“We’re able to predict future traffic levels based on our live traffic behaviour and manage the flow of traffic better in busy periods by adjusting traffic lights to best suit traffic conditions.”

 

The technology, which has been used in other cities across the globe, has shown to improve travel times by up to 10per cent.