The Chief Executive, Intelligent Transport Systems UK has criticised the Government’s decision to cancel the £20 million Intelligent Traffic Management Fund, calling it “a hugely missed opportunity for the Government,” and strongly urging them to reconsider this move.
The Department for Transport has written to English Local Authority Chief Executives this week to inform them that the previous Government’s plan for an Intelligent Traffic Management Fund has been shelved.
The £20 million ITMF, which was expected to be delivered in packages worth around £2 million each, was part of £70 million funding of improvements to traffic signals announced as part of the previous Government’s Plan for Drivers. It was designed to give authorities the chance to deploy advanced technology for traffic control, using emerging technologies to optimise vehicle flow and balance traffic across city centres.
Mr Sugarman said: “Local authorities and suppliers were gearing up to use the Fund to deliver the latest technology onto the network, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, that would help optimise traffic flows, reduce congestion and, ultimately, support more effective, safer and greener roads for the travelling public.
“The ITMF was directly aligned with the Department for Transport’s six priorities and the Chancellor’s aims to deliver public services more efficiently, as set out in the Budget. So, this cancellation is not only a blow to the traffic technology sector and ITS UK’s membership, but also an own goal for Government. We would urge them to now set out a forward plan for how they will work with the sector to support a more effective road network, building upon the positive vision they have for the transport system.”
He was referring to comments made by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the budget saying: “We are setting a two per cent productivity, efficiency and savings target for all departments to meet next year by using technology more effectively and joining up services across government as set out in our manifesto.”
(Picture – Yay Images)
