Hi-tech £500K traffic lights scheme wins top award for Blackpool

An innovative £500,000 scheme in Blackpool which allows traffic lights to better respond to road conditions and keep vehicles moving has a won a top award.

Traffic queues are an ongoing nightmare and Blackpool certainly has its share – but the town’s Smart Traffic Corridor scheme has been hailed for improving the situation.

Blackpool Council scooped half a million pounds in government cash last year to optimise its traffic lights using a high-tech system.

Now the scheme has won national recognition as Blackpool Council, in partnership with 4way Consulting, won the Sustainable Environment through Technology Award at the 19th Annual Intelligent Transport Systems UK Awards.

Fully funded by the Department for Transport’s Green Light Fund (£567,000), Blackpool’s Smart Traffic Corridor scheme uses innovative technology to improve the flow of traffic in high congestion areas across the town.

The council says this project has transformed five of Blackpool’s most important transport corridors into digitally enabled, data-driven routes.

These include The Promenade, Preston New Road, East Park Drive, Plymouth Road, and Central Drive, all of which are key routes in the town and experience high levels of traffic.

Traditional approaches to traffic management struggle to cope with the high volumes of traffic that Blackpool often encounters, especially during peak holiday season and major events.

Using smart technology to create a near-fully adaptive traffic management system will make the traffic lights work better, by enabling traffic light sequences to adjust their frequency based on traffic demand.

Judges at the awards, which celebrate the best of the transport technology sector, said of the scheme: “Instead of relying on fixed-time traffic signal plans or reactive manual intervention, Blackpool now uses a real-time system that actively reduces congestion, improves air quality, and supports low-carbon modes of travel. The judges saw this project as an excellent example of how technology can support a more sustainable environment.”

Cllr Paula Burdess, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Street Scene and Neighbourhoods, said: “I’m delighted that Blackpool is leading the way in using smart traffic management systems to provide a more efficient and sustainable road network for local residents, businesses and visitors.

“With over 330 miles of roads across the town, our highways team are always looking for innovative ways to help keep our roads running smoothly. By collaborating with expert partners, we’re using technology to create a greener, smarter town.”

Shane Collins, Smart Cities Sector Lead, 4way Consulting, commented: “By harnessing modern open-data systems and implementing data driven interventions the Blackpool road network is increasingly able to respond in real time to the unique challenges it faces around fluctuating demand.

“The technology creates the potential for better outcomes for road users and local stakeholders by reducing journey times and the environmental impacts of congestion.”