More than 200 artificial intelligence (AI) sensors are set to be installed on roads across Nottingham in a bid to help with the traffic flow. Western Boulevard's junction with Aspley Road - described as "usually packed" by locals - will be trialled as a so-called 'Smart Junction' as part of Nottingham City Council's plans.
It will use sensors that are designed to make the traffic lights more reactive to traffic levels and help reduce waiting times. The council said if it successful then more of its kind will be installed across the city.
People living close to the junction welcomed the plans. Jane Hawley, a 58-year-old college director, said: "It's a great idea.
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"I think it would be helpful with students catching the bus close by. I would agree it's a good thing."
Lynda Berry, 76, added: "In some ways it can be good but you just don't know. You can't always guarantee the technology.
"It gets busy at the junction. Every week day it's packed - especially in the mornings and afternoons."
Transport technology company VivaCity is installing 219 sensors across the city which are able to gather data 24/7 to monitor congestion and measure traffic pollution levels. Work will start in February with the aim of completion by November.
The AI is capable of identifying each individual vehicle type, from heavy goods vehicles and coaches to bicycles and pedestrians. Wahid Khaliq, a 51-year-old taxi driver from The Meadows, said he hoped it would help improve "nightmare" traffic.
"It would be better. Sometimes traffic lights only let a few cars through and traffic builds up around the city centre," he said.
"So it could be a good thing. I work in the day and it's quite bad.
"There are a lot of roadworks, like on Derby Road, at the minute so it can be a bit of a nightmare. It might be a good thing if it works."
Other locations that have been earmarked for the sensors, but not confirmed, include:
- Queen's Drive near its junction with Clifton Boulevard
- Queen's Drive near its junction with Robin Hood Way
Queen's Drive/ Wilford Road/ Waterway Street junction
Castle Boulevard/ Maid Marian Way/ Wilford Street junction
Castle Boulevard near Lenton Road roundabout
Gregory Boulevard/ Sherwood Rise roundabout
Valley Road/ Nottingham Road junction
Vernon Road/ David Lane junction
Bulwell High Road/ Main Street
Hucknall Road/ Sandhurst Road junction
Hucknall Road/ Moor Bridge junction
The city council's portfolio holder for highways and transport, Councillor Audra Wynter, said: "Our city needs the best, latest technology to help us in our fight to become carbon neutral by 2028. To help us to monitor traffic flow and analyse the behaviours of road users in the area, we're looking forward to working with VivaCity to help make accurate decisions on future schemes and to reduce pollution in the heart of our city."
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