Traffic lights that prioritise cyclists over cars tested in UK

Mark Nicholson, the chief executive of VivaCity, the company that developed the technology, said: “It uses a video camera on board a sensor. “It means an authority can build algorithms for the junction that say ‘in this place, I want to prioritise cyclists,’ or ‘at 3pm, as school ends, I want to prioritise pedestrians’.” ‘Cities need to get more intelligent’ Louise Haigh, the Transport Secretary, has said the Government plans to invest “unprecedented levels of funding” in cycling and walking. We can encourage more people to make shorter journeys by foot or bike.” Richard Parker, the West Midlands Mayor, said: “Road safety is a top priority for me, and I want everyone to feel secure when cycling or walking. “This is just one part of my plan to make our streets safer and encourage more people to cycle, meaning improved fitness, fewer traffic jams and cleaner air.” Figures from the Department for Transport show that cycling accounts for two per cent of trips in England last year, and one per cent of distance travelled on average. “The ‘smart city’ notion has been kicking around for decades, but is coming true because the technology is able to make these intelligent decisions without getting into personal data.”