Cardiff City Council is laying plans to increase the use of real time data in its management of roads and travel around the city.
The move provides an element of its new Transport White Paper, unveiled this week, which lays out a 10-year plan to reduce congestion, improve air quality and face up to climate change.
Amid plans for a £2 billion investment in the region’s transport infrastructure, the document points to a plan to use technology to manage traffic in the city, including the use of real time information on traffic and parking through ‘smart’ corridors.
It places an emphasis on the northern corridor, saying it wants to use data to better manage the movement of traffic, public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, and to help people make better informed decisions on their travel plans.
The paper says this can help to prioritise walking, cycling and public transport, improve air quality and help to control queuing and mitigate the impacts of giving more road space to sustainable modes of travel.
A pilot scheme is being developed for part of the A470 road for introduction later this year.
Heavy investment
Other elements of the white paper include an expansion of the current Metro plans to deliver more new tram and train routes and stations, the introduction of bus rapid transit services and park and ride sites, reducing the cost of bus travel, and safe walking and cycling routes.
The paper says the investment could be part funded by a charging scheme for road users in the city, although the council added that this is not the only option available.
Councillor Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff Council, said: "The future success of Cardiff hinges on getting transport right in the city. There can't be anyone who is happy with the current state of affairs, which is why we are bringing forward this ambitious 10-year vision and why we are beginning an honest conversation about how it's paid for."
Publication of the paper has come a few weeks after Cardiff Council published a Smart City Roadmap with plans for a public consultation. It includes a strong emphasis on data, connectivity and public health.
Image by Ben Salter, CC BY 2.0
