Part 1 - Phases and Stages

In the first of our Traffic Signals principles series, we look at the basic elements associated with 'phases' and 'stages' in traffic signal control.

Part 2 - Conflicts and Inter-greens

In the second of our Traffic Signals principles series, we look at the Inter-stage period, particularly the safety critical elements of 'Conflicts' and 'Inter-greens'.

Part 3 - Saturation and Capacity

In the third of our Traffic Signals principles series, we look at the first-principles for the calculations required to determine both the time and space requirements to accommodate the required traffic flow in each lane of each approach to a set of traffic signals.

Part 4 - Manual, VA & Fixed Time

In the fourth of our Traffic Signals principles series, we’ll be starting to look at different modes of operation that Traffic Signal Controllers operate under, how these modes interact with each other, then at Manual, Fixed Time and Vehicle Actuated modes specifically.

The History of Traffic Signals

Although the first traffic signal installation in 1868 predates the introduction of motorised vehicles, the technologies adopted for their use go back much further. We are looking at this because it really is where Intelligent Transport Systems emanate from.

The History of Detection

The history of detection facilities used by ITS infrastructure started in the 1920's. The surprising way in which the advent of both vehicular and pedestrian detection started and progressed over the years provides an insight to how the use of our highways has developed over the last hundred years.

What is ITS?

We look at what Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are and the types of applications these are typically used for in a highway context.

Introduction to Roadside Technology

An introduction to roadside technologies used in Intelligent Transport Systems infrastructure. It will give an overview of major technologies used to control and manage the highway network.

Smart Motorways

In recent years, Smart Motorways have had unprecedented levels of press coverage, but what are Smart Motorways and how do they work?

Puffin Crossing

We look at the way in which we would go about inspecting a signalised crossing for a commissioning.

Inductive Loops

Have you ever wondered how these work and how they are installed? Inductive Loops are used to make traffic signals change, to automatically sense when there's a traffic snarl up and to count vehicles to let operators know how busy a road is.

Push Button Units

We look at the ubiquitous Pedestrian Push Button unit, find out how these work and some of the hidden features you may not be familiar with!

Signal Bags

Have you ever considered what happens when you have to switch off safety critical ITS infrastructure, specifically looking at traffic signals, and the mitigation features required to do this. How do you maintain both user and operative safety? We look at a new innovation which makes this process both quicker and safer to implement.

Message Signs

Are you familiar with the different types of electronic message signs, including Vehicle Activated, Warning and Full Matrix Signs? These are one of the most popular ways of warning or informing drivers about issues or road conditions.

Artificial Intelligence! - AI Used for ITS Detection

We are looking at AI augmented detection technology which is now maturing into a commercially available product.

Non-Contiguous Video Detection

An exciting development for video detection applications, which can work across multiple CCTV sources to provide a comprehensive understanding of traffic movements, but without using facial recognition or ANPR to track pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles as they progress through an area.

Journey Time as a Service (JTaaS)

This episode examines how Journey Time information can be implemented as a Journey Time as a Service offering, where instead of deploying extensive Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) or Bluetooth and WiFi sensors across the network, this system uses data derived from connected vehicles which are currently driving on the roads which you want the real-time information for.

Inside the Push Button Factory

Pedestrian Push Button and Demand Units, we were given special access to the AGD manufacturing facility in Cheltenham to get an insight to the complexity of these units, and join me as I talk to Greg Baker about the complexity involved in producing these.

Signal Studio

This won the second prize in our 2023 @ITSNow Innovation Awards, and I’m delighted to have had an opportunity to sit down with Darren Hudson from Traffic Group Technology to discuss it whilst he demonstrated some of its innovative features.

ITS World Congress

If you would like to collaborate with us on our coverage of the 2024 ITS World Congress, please feel free to get in contact.

What now, Smart Motorways?

You may have heard that smart motorways have been cancelled, but what does this actually mean, what are the implications?

How should we use AI in Traffic Systems?

What strategies should be considered before implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) features in traffic systems. Within the ITS sector, we have seen increasing use of AI in equipment and systems used for traffic management. However, at this point, their application is rather sporadic and lacks a cohesive approach to their use to achieve a strategic implementation.

ITS Thought Leadership

If you would like Alistair Gollop to write an article or interview about the use of Intelligent Transport Systems technologies, please feel free to get in contact.

The Carbon Conundrum

Despite lots of work to make our ITS installations more energy efficient, we will need to do more in order to attain Carbon Neutral or Net Zero credentials for these in the near future. In this episode, we look at a number of next steps we can take to achieve these goals.

Climate Resilience

How do you make ITS equipment resilient to extreme and changing weather conditions? In this episode of ITS Now, we look at the issues facing the design and specification of ITS infrastructure in the face of the evolving mobility technology landscape in the context of the climate emergency and the impact that extreme weather conditions have on ITS equipment in the field.

Nodes of Opportunity

With the connected and distributed nature of Intelligent Transport Systems deployments across the road network, the issues raised by the emergence of Connected Vehicles, Smart Cities and in response to the Climate Emergency, result in an interesting opportunity for traffic systems to play a pivotal role in the data-centric world.

Ethics and Privacy

The ever growing volume of data in the mobility sector could pose both privacy and ethical dilemmas for systems owners and have an impact on users.

ITS and Smart Cities

Could Intelligent Transport Systems Infrastructure, such as UTC/UTMC systems, play a pivotal role in the establishment and development of Smart Cities? With extensive traffic systems deployed across our urban areas, could our traffic systems provide a valuable means to establish these new methods to manage our cities?

Passive Safety and ITS Structures

Find out about the issues Passively Safe Roadside Structures pose for ITS infrastructure, includes footage from the 2022 Passive Safety Crash Demonstration Day.

ITS and Active Travel Modes

Could Intelligent Transport Systems be used to support Active Transport modes, such as walking and cycling, in our busy urban areas, where vehicular congestion on our streets are pushing capacity to the limit.

Motorway Evolution

How might motorways evolve in coming years in response to both the climate emergency and the emergence of connected vehicles? We’ll look at how Intelligent Transport Systems infrastructure may transform these beyond Smart Motorways.

The 2024 @ITS Now Innovation Awards

In this episode we reveal the winners of The 2024 @ITS Now Innovation Awards

Highways UK 2023

See the highlights from Highways UK 2023, find out Alistair's thoughts on this huge exhibition and packed conference programme, along with more news on the DfT £70million grant fund for signals improvements in England!

JCT Symposium 2023

Now in its 28th year, this years symposium was a particularly strong conference and exhibition. Find out Alistair's thoughts on the emerging trends in this episode.

Move 2023

Highlights from the ExCel in east London, with dancers and Lewis Hamiltons car!

Traffex 2023 & @ITSNow Innovation Award

Highlights of the 2023 Exhibition and Conference, and find out who won our Innovation Awards this year!

Highways UK 2022

Highlights of the very busy Highways UK 2022 Exhibition and Conference, that was held at the National Exhibition Centre near Birmingham.

JCT Symposium 2022

See some of the highlights from the 2022 JCT Symposium at Nottingham Trent University. In its 27th year, the symposium's nearly 300 delegates watched 25 papers being presented over the two days of the conference. Find out Alistair's thoughts on the emerging trends in this episode.

Traffex 2022 & ITS Now Innovation Awards

Filmed at Traffex 2022, we show our highlights and also reveal our ITS Now 2022 Innovation Awards winners. What caught our eye for the shortlist?

Traffex 2019 & Future Mobility

What happened at the Traffex 2019 Exhibition in the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham? Only the Future Mobility feature which I curated on behalf of the exhibition organisers!

Intertraffic 2018

An opportunity to go back to see the highlights of the Intertraffic 2018 Exhibition in Amsterdam.

Traffex 2017

Look back at the 2017 exhibtion at the NEC.

Intertraffic 2016

Highlights from the 2016 exhibition in Amsterdam.