A new survey has found more than half of city dwellers would be happy for a portion of their tax contributions to go towards smart traffic lights in their city.
The poll of around 1,000 people discussed smart city initiatives and attempted to gauge the level of understanding and support for the concept and its technological solutions to urban problems.
While only 24% of people would be happy for a portion of their tax contribution to go towards implementing smart solutions, this rises substantially when it comes to transport infrastructure.
The poll found 57% of people 'happy for their tax to go towards smart traffic lights, and 44% for smarter signs which give real-time traffic updates'.
The report by ATG Access found almost two-thirds (65%) of city-dwellers were frustrated with the levels of congestion in their city.
Londoners were the most frustrated with traffic levels (76%), followed by city dwellers of the South East (74%) and the South West (68%).
The research also looked at the most popular methods of tackling congestion. It found
- Three quarters (75%) would like to see the implementation of smart traffic lights to respond in real-time to the volume of traffic on the roads,
- just over two-thirds (67%) expressed a strong desire for better traffic light control measures during busier times
This is compared to more traditional forms of easing traffic flow:
- just 37% of those surveyed wanting to see more parking restrictions on busy roads and
- 40% wanting dedicated cycling and bus lanes during busy times.
Gavin Hepburn, managing director at ATG Access commented: 'Our research has found a clear public desire for smart traffic control measures, which could ease the daily commute for millions of travellers every day.
'Smart city concepts such as responsive traffic flow measures - ranging from smart traffic lights, to programmable smart bollard systems which control traffic - can drive efficiency and drastically cut commuter times. Not only does this have the potential to save the economy £9bn a year, measures such as these can also dramatically improve a cities’ level of air quality.'
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