21 October 2002
TRAFFIC INFORMATION INITIATIVE UNVEILED BY MINISTER SMITH
Major initiatives to get up-to-date traffic information to motorists before they begin their journeys were unveiled today by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State responsible for the Department for Regional Development, Angela Smith MP.
At DRD Roads Service Traffic Information and Control Centre on her first official visit as Minister, Mrs Smith also announced new traffic control measures for the motorway network.
The developments include a new traffic website, a pilot project which will provide people who work in Belfast city centre with early information about major traffic disruption and new cantilever signals on motorways aimed at improving road safety.
The Minister said: "Today’s initiatives underline the fact that Roads Service is at the forefront in both the UK and across Europe in the application of intelligent transport systems for traffic control and the provision of traffic information.
"These new developments will further enhance the existing service of providing traffic information to the public, and will also assist in improving road safety.
"The pilot project, set up by Roads Service with assistance from Belfast City Centre Management, is an exciting innovation which involves employers in Belfast receiving e-mailed information from the Traffic Information and Control Centre on major abnormal disruption to traffic flows.
"A small number of companies have been invited to take part in the initial trial of the project, and it is hoped to expand to a larger number of employers in the future."
The new website has been set up by Roads Service, with the assistance of StreamOn.net, to provide up to date dynamic information on current traffic conditions and it can be viewed at
www.trafficwatchni.comThe Minister said: "The website will inform people of traffic conditions before they commence their journey, and the information will be updated throughout the day. Also from the website there will be access to real time pictures from four Roads Service traffic monitoring cameras in Belfast."
The Minister also revealed that the £1.5 million work to extend motorway control on the M1 and M2 has been completed.
She said: " New motorway gantries and cantilever signals have been erected on the M2 northbound prior to the Sandyknowes and Templepatrick interchanges, and also on the M1 westbound prior to Sprucefield and M1 eastbound at Dunmurry. These facilities will provide lane control signals and advisory speeds, and will also assist in improving road safety by displaying information on traffic conditions ahead."
For media queries contact Eamon Deeny on 028 9054 0817 or Anne McGivern on 028 9054 0004.
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