Intelligent Transport Systems UK (ITS UK) has launched a new campaign called Stuck on Red, calling for urgent investment in the UK’s ageing traffic signal infrastructure amid warnings that widespread deterioration is undermining road safety, increasing costs for local authorities and hampering efforts to decarbonise transport.
The campaign, spearheaded by the industry association for transport technology, seeks to raise awareness among policymakers at all levels – from government ministers and parliamentarians to regional leaders and local councillors – of both the risks posed by continued underinvestment and the opportunities that come with modernising traffic management technology.
Central to the campaign’s launch is a RAG-rated heatmap illustrating the current state of traffic signal infrastructure across England. The data paints a stark picture: 51% of assets have already reached the end of their operational life. Without intervention, ITS UK projects that figure will rise to 61% within two years.
Max Sugarman, chief executive of ITS UK, said, “Traffic signals are a vital part of our road network, but we are reaching a point where many of these assets are life expired, or soon to reach expiry.
“This is a risk to our road users and a cost burden on local authorities with tight budgets, as well as a missed opportunity to effectively unlock innovation, and use technology to deliver safer, more efficient and more sustainable journeys.”
ITS UK is calling for a targeted, rolling programme of investment in traffic signal upgrades, arguing that the required funding would represent only a small proportion of existing road budgets while delivering significant returns. Beyond reducing maintenance costs for cash-strapped local authorities, modernised infrastructure is seen as a prerequisite for enabling connected and automated vehicles and wider smart mobility innovation.
Sugarman added: “Through our Stuck on Red campaign, we are making the case for targeted investment in this essential infrastructure. With relatively small levels of funding, we can unlock significant benefits for road users, businesses and the wider economy. We will be engaging policymakers across the UK to ensure this issue is understood and addressed, and urge industry and government at all levels to support this critical issue.”
As the campaign develops, ITS UK plans to publish additional evidence and analysis, including heatmaps covering Scotland and Wales, and to engage directly with policymakers and its membership to illustrate the real-world consequences of continued inaction.
ITS UK represents the transport technology sector, which contributes £3.2bn in economic value to the UK economy, supports 45,000 jobs and generates £500m in annual tax revenue.
