The Transport Technology Forum (TTF) has overseen an application process in which 39 UK councils received a share of £15 million additional funding to repair traffic signals.
The extra money from the Department for Transport (DfT) is part of this year’s Highway Maintenance settlement for English local authorities outside of London.
It will be spent on supplementing existing local authority spending on the upgrade and maintenance of traffic signals and associated equipment.
Of the fund, 21 authorities, including Buckinghamshire Council and Kent County Council have received £500,000 each. Meanwhile, Leeds City Council and Shropshire Council are among 18 recipients that have been granted £250,000 each.
TTF research discovered there are traffic signals with faulty detectors, configuration and equipment, which means systems are not working optimally. It is estimated that delay savings of between 10 and 20% are delivered by the use of technologies which monitor traffic levels and alter signal timings.
The forum says this means faster journeys, less congestion and better support for active travel, which means better air quality and much less driver stress.
TTF chair Steve Gooding says: “This exercise has put a spotlight on the challenge many authorities face to maintain and update the traffic control systems they’ve invested in over the years – it is hugely welcome that the Department for Transport has recognised the value to be gained from providing the funds needed to get them back up to scratch.”
“Whilst the TTF is naturally interested in emerging ideas, we are also concerned not to lose the benefits from existing systems for a lack of day to day funding, which can all too easily be overlooked – ideally we’d see this central support from DfT become a standard element of the highway maintenance funding system.”
More than 100 of the 121 local authorities outside the UK capital registered their interest in the additional money. In order to qualify, councils were asked to provide evidence of their current traffic signal maintenance policies and practices and required to detail their strategies and preparedness for future technology opportunities, along with any issues around maintenance needs and priorities.
The Local Council Roads Innovation Group (LCRIG) managed the application process.
LCRIG president Will Britain says: “Ongoing maintenance of traffic signals is vital as councils strive to improve road safety, decarbonise and reduce collisions and hazards. This funding will go a long way to helping them make progress in these areas.”
