We’ve often heard people talk about ‘intelligent highways’ in relation to information technology but it seems we may soon be broadening our interpretation of the term.
Transport for London has announced the erection of 20 intelligent traffic cameras to detect congestion at specific traffic hotspots.
According to TfL, these cameras are equipped with special image recognition technology, presumably similar to vehicle licence recognition cameras, that are able to detect traffic build-up and alert its central traffic control centre.
The move will make it much easier for traffic controllers to react to sudden congestion build-ups caused by a broken down vehicle or traffic accident, and keep London on the move.
As we have seen with the M25, variable speed cameras can keep traffic flowing better than fixed speed limits. Again, traffic operators monitor the traffic lanes and adjust the variable speed overhead signs to match the weight and flow of traffic.
Nothing is worse than sitting in a vehicle going nowhere. Far better to remain on the move, albeit at a restricted pace.
Readers of this blog know only too well my views on black box technology as it relates to the potential application for road charging but the roll-out of traffic congestion cameras in major towns and cities seems eminently sensible.
To keep business working at optimum capacity is as much about keeping Britain on the move as it is about optimising production and service levels.
The sooner we experience ‘intelligent highways’ the better.