Traffic lights are becoming increasingly smart. The new generation of traffic lights is capable of recognising approaching traffic and can anticipate it in order to optimise traffic flows. These intelligent traffic control systems (iVRIs) are currently being tested for functionality and reliability. This is taking place, amongst other places, in Apeldoorn, at the Ravenweg & Hofveld junction.
Smart traffic lights in Apeldoorn
Talking Traffic
Cyclists who are given green lights more frequently and for longer when bad weather is imminent. Motorists who receive personalised speed advice via their in-car systems, enabling them to make it through the green light. Intelligent traffic systems offer all sorts of possibilities for better coordinating traffic flows. This is an example of ‘talking traffic’ in practice. Apeldoorn is leading the way when it comes to testing and rolling out these new applications.
Supplier Vialis has recently installed an iVRI at the Ravenweg–Hofveld junction. The new traffic light will undergo extensive testing in the coming period. If this smart concept proves successful, it will be rolled out further. In Apeldoorn, the iVRI is expected to be installed on the Ring, the Centrumring and the Zutphensestraat. Across the Netherlands, this will involve around 1,200 smart traffic lights by the end of this year, a quarter of the total number in the country. Over the coming years, the remaining traffic lights will be upgraded or replaced with intelligent versions.
Talking Traffic Partnership
The development of iVRI forms part of the Talking Traffic Partnership, a collaboration between the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, regional authorities, the transport industry, telecoms and internet companies, and automotive firms. Within the Partnership, work is underway on the development and roll-out of innovative traffic applications, whereby real-time information is provided to road users via, for example, apps or sat-nav systems. Road users will soon be kept constantly informed and supported in their driving, using data on, amongst other things, speed limits, closed lanes, weather conditions, parking facilities and incidents along the route. The aim is to improve traffic flow and accessibility. Through the Partnership, the Netherlands is leading the way globally in the development of open standards for developers and smart applications for road users. ‘Slim Reizen Stedendriehoek’, one of the programmes run by the Stedendriehoek Region, is a member of the Partnership.
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