An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Based Traffic Signal Control System in England's Tees Valley Road Network Reduced Delays by Up to 50 Percent at Busy Intersections Over One Year.
Evaluation Assessed Traffic-Delay Savings at Six Congestion Hotspots Within a Network of 57 Connected Sites and 196 Traffic Signals.
Tees Valley
Technology cuts traffic waiting times by 'months'
Summary Information
To address congestion at busy intersections, the Tees Valley Combined Authority implemented a smart road technology project to reduce traffic delays and improve traffic flow across the road network. The system used live traffic data and artificial intelligence (AI) to create a traffic digital twin, a real-time virtual replica of the road network that mirrors current traffic conditions, to predict where congestion is likely to occur, and automatically adjust traffic signals. The technology was deployed at 57 connected sites covering 196 traffic signals across Teesside, Darlington, and Hartlepool.
METHODOLOGY
The system’s performance was assessed over a 12-month period at six congestion hotspots, including the A174 Parkway junction at Thornaby Road. Performance was measured using reductions in traffic delay, expressed as percentage reductions and cumulative hours saved.
FINDINGS
- The AI-enabled traffic management system reduced delays by up to 50 percent at busy intersections.
- Motorists saved approximately 5,000 hours across six congestion hotspots over 12 months.
- The A174 Parkway junction at Thornaby Road recorded the largest reported reduction, with an estimated 2,780 hours of delay saved.
- Other reported annual savings included approximately 715 hours near Norton Road, 575 hours near Hart Lane, and 365 hours near York Road.
