BBC Home
Explore the BBC
BBC News
Launch consoleBBC NEWS CHANNEL
Last Updated: Friday, 8 October, 2004, 05:26 GMT 06:26 UK
Birthday for congestion busters
It is 30 years since Leicester became the first city in the UK to use computers to control traffic signals.

Some 94 traffic lights were first linked up and controlled from a centre on 8 October in 1974. That number has now grown six-fold to 560 lights.

Computers ensure lights change at different speeds depending on the level of congestion.

The method was introduced after trials by the Traffic Research Laboratory in Glasgow and West London.

A network of 76 CCTV cameras are linked to pelican crossings, car parks, buses and signs to keep traffic moving.




RELATED BBC LINKS:

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

News Front Page | World | UK | England | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales | Politics
Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health | Education
Have Your Say | Magazine | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes
Americas Africa Europe Middle East South Asia Asia Pacific