[sustran] London Mayor identifies 140 traffic signals for removal

[Eric Britton]

Mayor identifies 140 traffic signals for removal


Transport for London has identified 140 traffic signals across the capital
that may no longer perform a useful role and could be removed.

Officials are finalising the collection of data on traffic flows and
accidents from each site to verify that the signals are no longer useful in
traffic, pedestrian or safety terms.

David Brown, TfL's managing director for surface transport, told last week's
meeting of the TfL board that 28 sets of traffic signals had already been
removed in the capital this financial year, ten of which were on TfL's road
network.

Board members also received an update on the proposed trial of pedestrian
'countdown' signals. TfL submitted plans to the DfT at the beginning of
March to trial the technology at eight locations in the capital. If approval
is granted the first trial site could be installed as early as June.

Countdown signals will show pedestrians how many seconds are left in the
'blackout' period - the phase between the green man being extinguished and
road traffic receiving a green light.

Brown also provided the board with details of TfL's lane rental plans under
which utility companies would have to pay a charge for the time they occupy
the road when conducting streetworks.

Brown said utility companies could avoid paying the charge if they undertook
work at non-traffic sensitive times or employed "innovative working
practices" so that the carriageway was returned to traffic use at peak
times.

Brown said TfL's plans would need amendments to existing legislation. Lane
rental powers were included in the New Roads and Streetworks Act but have
only ever been trialled, in Camden and Middlesbrough.

Transport minister Sadiq Khan said in December that the DfT would consult on
lane rental this summer and that regulations could be introduced in October
2011. They would only be available for use on the "most sensitive roads in
the most congested urban areas".

(Thanks to Ian Perry for the heads-up)

http://www.transportxtra.com/magazines/local_transport_today/news/?id=21956