TfL shifts to “game changing” cloud based traffic management system

Transport for London (TfL) has transferred its traffic signal system to a cloud-based system as part of its upgrade to London’s road network management.

TfL manages London’s complex road layout through one of Europe’s largest traffic signal networks with around 6,400 automated traffic signal junctions and pedestrian crossings across both the TfL and borough road networks.

The project was carried out in collaboration with Yunex Traffic whose Real Time Optimiser (RTO) traffic light control system will support improved journey times, traffic flows and responses to incidents, as well as improved data on journey demand and road network patterns.

TfL’s director of network management and resilience, Carl Eddleston, said, “This world-leading new traffic management system will be a game-changer for us in London. It will use new data sources to better manage our road network, tackle congestion, reduce delay for people choosing healthier travel options and improve air quality.”

Almost 4,000 junctions, 1,500 pedestrian crossings, and more than 16,000 traffic detectors across Greater London were migrated to the new system without any impact on London’s road network over a two-week period.

This infrastructure and its integration with RTO allows TfL’s Control Centre to respond to incidents on the roads to ensure that all road users, whether they are walking, cycling, using public transport or driving, can travel safely.

TfL’s management of the road network is also central to its Vision Zero goal of eliminating deaths and serious injuries on the transport network.

The RTO also provides TfL with a platform to support the introduction of Fusion, a new intelligent adaptive control optimiser, which will replace the ageing real time adaptive traffic control Scoot system, further reducing congestion and helping traffic flow by using a wide range of modern data sources and ultimately improving air quality across the city.