York to be at '˜forefront'of UK's transport revolution

A Yorkshire city has welcomed the opportunity to trial new technology that councillors say will put it at the 'forefront' of the country's transport revolution.
It is hoped the technology will help to ease traffic congestionIt is hoped the technology will help to ease traffic congestion
It is hoped the technology will help to ease traffic congestion

York Council has been awarded £295,000 to take part in the new Government scheme, which it claims will “pave the way” for the next generation of digital vehicles.

The project will use cutting edge technology and data collection to test the possibilities for systems that are designed to provide real-time traffic updates to drivers.

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If successful, it is hoped the trial will herald in a new era of “connected” cars on Britain’s roads.

Commenting on the scheme, York councillor and executive member for transport, Ian Gillie, said it will “revolutionise” transport across the country.

“The research being conducted here in York will put the authority firmly at the forefront of technology nationally for helping to develop this important new guidance,” he said.

“This trial will revolutionise digital technology for transport across England, paving way for the next generation of vehicles.

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“We’re delighted York has been selected to support the Department for Transport in leading the way on this new national guidance.”

York is one of 19 councils in England selected to take part in the £4m scheme, alongside Derbyshire, Blackpool, Reading and Oxfordshire. The trial will begin in April, with a special fleet of digitally-equipped cars used to collect traffic flow data along the A59 corridor from the Park and Ride site to Holgate Bridge.

Once it is complete, the information will be used to roll out new national guidance on the use of digital technology and “connected” vehicles.

Currently just eight percent of cars in Europe are fitted with technology that allows them to receive and share information on details like their location and congestion. But this is expected to increase to 25 percent by 2020.