Blackpool Smart Traffic Corridors :  Shane Collins – 4way Consulting

Winner : Most Innovative Presentation: The key routes on Blackpool’s network see considerable shifts in traffic patterns in the summer months due to tourism. The traffic signal control strategy along these routes is semi adaptive Fixed Time Urban Traffic Control (UTC), which means the routes don’t operate as effectively as they could, due to unpredictable nature of the traffic. This project, funded by the Department for Transports Green Light Fund, aims to install 32 multi lane radar detectors at strategic locations along five of these routes. The data collected from these detectors will be used to trigger fixed time UTC plans, created by AI, with the trigger points being predetermined data thresholds. This will provide an ‘almost’ fully adaptive traffic control solution allowing the Blackpool network to better cope with the unpredictable nature of the traffic patterns. The paper also explores Blackpool’s plans on measuring the impact of the project interventions, as well as the future aspirations for Smart Traffic Corridors in the town.