Local authorities are being given valuable advice on how to best design signal installations, with a detailed use case in the new Manual for Smart Streets.
The Manual for Smart Streets or MfSS is an interactive web resource delivering guidance to ensure road authorities understand the issues around the development, specification, procurement, and use of technology. The huge new resource delivered by the Department for Transport through the Transport Technology Forum is designed to help authorities maximise the effectiveness of technology to deliver new and improved services to users.
The Manual describes how the adoption of smart, connected and digitalised smart traffic signal control allows further efficiencies, optimised traffic flows and new vehicle priorities to be realised. This Presents opportunities to encourage more desirable road user behaviour through adoption of connected services that increase the quality, availability and utilisation of traffic datasets.
The Use Case details current adaptive control solutions such as SCOOT and MOVA, along with updates on trials of Green Light Optimal Speed Advisory solutions, traffic control using Floating Vehicle Data and integration with Bus Open Data.
It provides key objectives of delivering better traffic management through signal optimisation and, crucially, support for writing business cases to justify spending. There are also detailed technical guidelines for engineers.
The TTF has promoted efficient use of traffic signals, including the management of a £15 million fund which saw transport authorities receive £250,000 or £500,000 extra maintenance grant funding to improve traffic signals to tackle road user safety, air pollution and congestion
The Manual for Smart Streets is based on the success of the Manual for Streets which, in the 15 years since its publication, has become an essential document for anyone developing public realm schemes on the local road network.
Other areas covered in the Manual are; Asset management, EV charging, Parking management, Public transport, Traffic management, Road user information, Transport data management, Vulnerable road users’ safety and Cyber security.
(Picture – TTF)
