May 10, 2011 1.19 pm This story is over 154 months old

Automated traffic flow system proves useful

MOVA: Automated traffic flow systems installed in North Hykeham pave the way for similar solutions across the county.

Lincolnshire County Council says that an automated traffic flow system in North Hykeham has proved useful at reducing waiting time for motorists and pedestrians.

In December the council installed an experimental system at the junction of Moor Lane and Lincoln Road, set to optimise the green light time to match traffic flow.

Called MOVA (Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation), the system was installed after residents in the area expressed concerns about increased traffic delays.

Highways officers monitored the system since December in person and via CCTV and say traffic flow has improved, with a reduction in delays of 31% in the morning peak and 35% in the evening peak period.

Principal Engineer Tim Clark said MOVA “had such a positive impact on traffic flow that we decided to make the changes permanent.”

“It can change the green signal timings more effectively to deal with varying traffic levels,” Clark explained.

“It does this through better flow monitoring by detecting movement, gaps in the flow and the end of queues.

“An added bonus of the new sequence is that pedestrians have less waiting time and we will be adding a bleeping sound for the pedestrian crossings.

“This can be particularly helpful for people with impaired sight, or children.”

John Siddle, from the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: “Although fortunately this isn’t a collision hotspot, we’d heard that some road users were taking chances at this junction.

“With these new changes in place to smooth traffic flow, drivers are much less likely to be involved in a collision.”

Councillor Wallace Lee, from North Hykeham Town Council, added: “The long tail backs at peak hours have been dramatically reduced. Also the safety aspect has improved as drivers are less inclined to rush the red lights.”

Source: Lincolnshire County Council