Portsmouth invest in new traffic control technology

Portsmouth City Council have introduced a variety of new traffic control technology, to assist cyclists, the disabled and motorists.

For cyclists, there are new. low level cycle signals with early release functions. These are similar to the main traffic signals but positioned at a lower level, making it easier for them to be seen, with many other junctions across the city already using them.

Cyclists will then get a head start over the rest of the traffic, to enable them to move into the junction first and become more visible to motorists. Trials haven established that this system proves much safer than cars and bikes both setting off together. 

People on foot or in wheelchairs and mobility scooters will be able to use an app to their smartphone to activate a pedestrian crossing, thanks to new SmartCross+ technology which Portsmouth City Council has installed at a number of busy crossing points in the city.

The SmartCross systems have been developed by Smart Technology as upgrades to existing pedestrian crossing Push Button units, giving the ability for ‘Touch-Free’ activation and ‘Remote Control’ activation of pedestrian crossings.

SmartCross is a quick and easy retrofit to all pedestrian crossing units and can be installed in around 20 minutes. It has an in-built sensor that allows a user to merely hold their hand under the crossing push button unit without touching it to initiate a demand at the crossing. 

The app is available from the Apple App Store and Google Play. 

Drivers will benefit from more intelligent control of traffic thanks to built-in detectors to monitor whether people are using the crossing or travelling through the junction on bikes. The traffic lights will also be improved to be more visible to drivers.

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: ‘I’m pleased to see better accessibility options for disabled people being added to junctions across Portsmouth. We continually look at ways to make things better for everyone travelling around Portsmouth, and these improvements will make it safer and easier for everyone to cross the road and improve traffic flow, especially at busy times’