London is to get a completely new traffic control and highways management system that will reduce delays by optimising traffic flow across the city’s 6,000 intersections.

Future SCOOT will provide TfL with a new adaptive algorithm to manage and control the majority of London’s 6,000 traffic intersections

The 10-year project will see Siemens develop the new Real Time Optimiser (RTO) solution to replace the existing Urban Traffic Control (UTC) system in 2020 under the first phase. A second phase of the project will see the development of adaptive control algorithms (currently referred to as ‘Future SCOOT’), which will start from 2021. This will continuously monitor approaching traffic at intersections and developing accurate indicators of congestion and traffic disruption based on a variety of data sources.

Finally in phase three of the project, which starts when the system first goes live in 2020, Siemens will be responsible for maintaining the system throughout the rest of the contract term.

Glynn Barton, director of network management at TfL, said: “The benefits to all Londoners include improved responses to incidents, improved data and better customer information, as well as £1bn of benefits through reducing delays for all road users. The new Real Time Optimiser system will support our Healthy Streets Approach for London, which aims to improve air quality, reduce congestion and make London’s diverse communities healthier, more sustainable and more attractive places to live, work, play and do business.”