Siemens to deliver ‘next generation’ London traffic management system
Transport for London has awarded a multi-million pound contract to Siemens ITS to develop a ‘next-generation’ traffic control and highways management system for the capital.
The Real Time Optimiser (RTO) solution will enable traffic flow across London’s entire road network to be “dynamically optimised and will play a key role in meeting TfL’s objective of enabling reliable and sustainable journeys”, according to Siemens.
Benefits of the new system will include helping to improve air quality and reduce congestion, TfL says
The ten-year programme of work will be delivered in three phases, the first of which will see the development of a new, cloud-hosted traffic control solution by Siemens, replacing the existing Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system.
Phase two of the project will run in parallel with the RTO development work and will see new ‘adaptive control algorithms’ being developed (currently referred to as ‘Future SCOOT’); this phase will be delivered in stages, starting in 2021, Siemens says.
By continuously monitoring approaching traffic and developing accurate indicators of congestion and traffic disruption using a wide range of data sources, Future SCOOT will enable a “dynamic and reactive traffic control solution for every intersection in the city”.
Contract
For the third phase of the project, which starts when the system first goes live in 2020, Siemens will be responsible for maintaining the system throughout the rest of the contract term.
Glynn Barton, Director of Network Management at TfL, said: “We are pleased to be working with Siemens to deliver a world leading upgrade to our road network management system. The benefits to all Londoners include improved responses to incidents, improved data and better customer information, as well as £1bn of benefits through reducing delays for all road users.
“The new Real Time Optimiser system will support our Healthy Streets Approach for London, which aims to improve air quality, reduce congestion and make London’s diverse communities healthier, more sustainable and more attractive places to live, work, play and do business.”
Commenting on the contract award, Wilke Reints, Managing Director at Siemens ITS, said: “Having worked in close partnership with TfL on a wide range of traffic solutions in the past, we are absolutely delighted to have been selected to work with them on such an exciting and pioneering programme. This is a major development for London and its road users and for the traffic industry as a whole.
“Given TfL’s clear focus on delivering the safest and most efficient traffic network for all road-users, we believe this is a unique opportunity to build a robust, reliable system that will meet the needs of one of the world’s largest cities. Once RTO is successfully introduced, London will be a showcase for intelligent traffic solutions for megacities worldwide.”