Every Second Counts: Choices in the operation of traffic lights

The purpose of this study is to look at the way traffic lights are managed from the point of view of road users and to consider possible changes.

It focuses to a large extent on London, which has the largest number of traffic signals – over 6,000, about a quarter of the total in Britain. London also suffers from the worst traffic congestion – Transport for London (TfL) estimates that congestion costs London some £2 billion a year (GLA, 2010). The study also looks at experience in other cities in the UK and abroad.

This report makes the following recommendations:

• Traffic light signals review: there is a need for a wider review by local authorities of sites where traffic lights may not be justified.

• Accident data reporting: where traffic lights have been removed, accident data for three years before and after should be reported to DfT so that there can in due course be a full assessment of the road safety implications.

• National guidance and legislation: DfT should expedite publication of guidance on how to avoid traffic being held up unnecessarily and local authorities’ review of their traffic signals should take account of this. DfT should make the legislative changes necessary to enable trials to be carried out of new techniques, such as flashing amber lights.

• SCOOT deployment: urban authorities should consider wide deployment of SCOOT.