Traffic Lights Retuned in Eighteen Junctions in Szeged to Make Buses and Trolleybuses Faster
The aim of the programme, which is supported by the European Union, is the continuous optimisation of Szeged’s community transport. It is in the framework of these efforts that modifications are being made to the control of the operation of traffic lights in eighteen junctions of the city.
The aim of these operations is to give priority to community transport in traffic, helping people to reach their workplace faster
Sándor Nagy
The vice mayor also mentioned that actual physical changes had been preceded by a lot of planning, which took into consideration aspects provided by the two local transport companies, SZKT and Volánbusz Zrt.
In most cases, this is only fine-tuning: buses and trolleybuses will have a longer green period so they can reach the next green light, which will make the city’s traffic more dynamic, and timetables can be better kept.
Sándor Nagy
At the city’s eighteen spots, these changes will be comprised only of an increase or a shift in the traffic light programs’ green periods by a few seconds in certain directions. In other junctions, the so-called clearing periods will be modified, so vehicles turning at the amber light cannot conflict with trams starting at the green light and travelling straight.
A separate plan was made for each junction. The project, which has a total cost budget of HUF 13 and a half million, will not only consist of traffic light retuning: at certain spots, existing loop detectors must be replaced with a camera detection system, and road marks must be removed and replaced with new ones in several junctions. Following physical and software changes, the new system will also have to be tested with trial service runs.
Owing to those few seconds gained in individual junctions through this fine-tuning, the total journey time of a service may shorten by two-three minutes and become more predictable. Another important aspect is that vehicles’ shorter waiting times at traffic lights will result in a reduction in environmental pollution
Sándor Nagy
The jobs to be performed in the framework of the SASMob Project will have to be completed by Signalterv Forgalomtechnika Kft., winner of the tender, by the end of July.
Urban mobility
