Smart traffic technology that will reduce waiting times and queues will be installed at a busy A127 junction following success elsewhere in Southend, Essex. The traffic signals, where Progress Road in Eastwood meets the A127, will be fitted with high-tech MOVA8 software, says the Echo News.
MOVA8 technology allows traffic signals to communicate with each other, so flows can be managed in response to demand as opposed to being based on timers alone. The smart technology has already been successfully rolled out at the nearby Kent Elms junction, also on the A127.
Daniel Cowan, Labour leader of Southend Council, said:
“I am delighted to announce we will be installing a major upgrade to the traffic light system at the Progress Road junction in the coming months. We recently successfully installed MOVA8 at Kent Elms junction, which has seen a five per cent improvement in traffic flow despite nearby gas mains roadworks on Rayleigh Road causing significant congestion.
“We now intend to extend this to Progress Road so MOVA8 can improve the traffic flow there. This does not require any structural changes to the road layout so the impact should be minimal when the works are completed.
“We apologise in advance for any traffic issues this may cause while fitting is being done, but it will be an extremely time-limited inconvenience with major long-term future benefits.”
Since MOVA8 tech was installed at Kent Elms last month, traffic has reportedly begun flowing more smoothly and efficiently through the junction.
However, Eastwood ward councillors have said the improvements have now led to increased congestion at the Progress Road junction.
Paul Collins, Lib Dem councillor for Eastwood, praised the roll-out and said he looks forward to the smart-tech being introduced elsewhere.
“The Kent Elms technology has made a fantastic difference, but now that traffic is rushing through more efficiently, it’s queuing at Progress Road,” he said.
“There has always been a problem coming out of the junction, and traffic can tail up for miles. I receive constant complaints about the issue and am pleased that we’re using funding from grants for this sort of work.”
(Picture: Mapillary)
