WARRINGTON PREPARES TO REAP BENEFITS OF UTMC [URBAN TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL]

Warrington Borough has received an award for innovative measures to improve transport and the quality of the council's local transport plan (LTP). After splitting from Cheshire four years ago to become a unitary authority, Warrington was in an ideal situation to start from scratch on a new concept in traffic management. Under the concept, it is intended to provide such items as real time information at bus stops, improved priority for public transport and traffic monitoring. After extensive consultation with Warrington residents a number of key issues were identified. By integrating packages from different manufacturers the authority will develop a transport information network that will be far more pedestrian friendly than at present and provide encouragement for public transport, giving priority to buses where necessary. The new system alleviates several problems through optimised traffic signalling. This adapts frequency and duration of the green phases and co-ordinates each set of traffic lights to be in the best possible position relative to each other. The system reduces congestion, improves journey times and restrains traffic from entering congested areas. Since Warrington is located in the middle of a large number of motorway intersections it generates a high volume of traffic and it is critical that these intersections are reliably and efficiently controlled. By using information technology (IT) and a global positioning system (GPS) essential information will be conveyed to bus passengers thus enhancing the perception of public transport and making travelling by bus compare favourably with travelling by car. Other improvements are also planned.