Nine Red Arrow coaches, part of Trentbarton’s flagship express route between Nottingham and Derby, are undergoing a trial whereby the coaches are given quicker green traffic signals en route.
The trial works by the coaches automatically letting traffic signals know when they are delayed. The lights will then switch to green as the coaches approach, helping to improve punctuality and consistent journey times.
Five junctions between Nottingham and Derby are part of the initial trial. It will run for 12 weeks and, if successful, more traffic signals will offer the technology for Red Arrow and other routes.
Funding for the project was secured through the Transforming Cities Fund, which secured £161m for transport improvements in the region, via a joint bid between Nottingham and Derby City Councils and Nottinghamshire and Derby County Councils.
“Traffic congestion is the biggest factor in slowing down coach and bus services and it is expected that this technology will enable Red Arrow, and then other services, to be more on time more often,” says Trentbarton Managing Director Jeff Counsell. “That will encourage more people to travel by public transport, reducing the number of cars on the roads and therefore helping coaches and buses to be quicker and more punctual. Everyone will benefit, not least from less air pollution from fewer vehicles being on the road.
“The project highlights the superb partnership working already in place in the East Midlands between forward thinking bus operators and their local authority partners, which the government’s new National Bus Strategy encourages.
“We’re all committed to encouraging more and more people to travel in a greener, more sustainable way.”
