Wokingham Borough Council has been awarded £250,000 for smart traffic lights and crossings across the area.
The Department for Transport (DfT) grant aims to support the use of new technology to cut congestion across the Berkshire borough, as well as reducing journey times and emissions.
Smart traffic light schemes are earmarked for ten locations across the borough. These are designed to be more responsive than the current systems and will change as the traffic demands, depending on the time of day.
Additionally, forty locations will see smart crossing technologies installed with push button traffic light crossings replaced with ones triggered by sensors. These solutions will assist with Covid-safe use. The smart crossings also have audio speakers to support visually impaired residents.
These electronic systems will take data from sensors, lamp-posts and signs to identify in real time where problems are and work to solve them before they build up.
Pauline Jorgensen, executive member for highways and transport, said: “We continue to work hard towards our priority of cutting congestion across our borough by making the most of smart technology.
“This funding award recognises the Department for Transport supporting us towards our goals and acknowledging our plans to do this as innovative and forward thinking.”
The improvements will also see the council switch to more energy efficient solutions at 18 locations, with low-voltage bulbs installed. LED bulbs will be used instead of halogen, which helps the council towards its goal of net zero carbon by 2030.
Furthermore, these bulbs require less maintenance, are more reliable and cost less, as well as reducing energy consumption by 78%.
To support its air quality targets, the council will use almost a third of the DfT funding to install air quality sensors at eight traffic light locations. This technology will be used to improve evaluation of traffic management across the area, with air quality data being factored into future decisions.
Read more: DfT allocates additional funding to repair and upgrade traffic signals
