Skip to main content

Real-time traffic updates to be displayed on London buses

The iconic London bus is now helping to improve traffic in the Capital as Transport for London (TfL) starts a trial of displaying live traffic information on the back of buses. A number of buses on route 344 are displaying real-time traffic information using digital information boards in what is said to be a world first. The technology is being trialled on buses between Clapham Junction and Liverpool Street to provide London's drivers with a new source of information to help avoid congestion and improve
August 16, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
The iconic London bus is now helping to improve traffic in the Capital as 1466 Transport for London (TfL) starts a trial of displaying live traffic information on the back of buses. A number of buses on route 344 are displaying real-time traffic information using digital information boards in what is said to be a world first.

The technology is being trialled on buses between Clapham Junction and Liverpool Street to provide London's drivers with a new source of information to help avoid congestion and improve their journeys and the reliability and efficiency of the roads.

The buses have been fitted with electronic boards by Equitech IT Solutions, which use GPS technology to give accurate and up-to-date traffic information. The information is taken from the TfL variable message sign network, which is fed by TfL's 24-hour traffic control centre.

If successful, this could be expanded across London.

The technology will be used on a further bus route - route 415 between Tulse Hill and Liverpool Street - in the autumn.

The trial follows the successful trial of live traffic information displayed on taxi advertising boards by Brightmove Media, which proved the concept of real-time traffic information delivered in this form.
UTC

Related Content

  • January 31, 2012
    Wireless traffic data in real time
    The effect of moving objects on the electromagnetic landscape set up by cellular telephony networks can be detected and interpreted to give real-time traffic data across large geographical areas at low cost. Here, we revisit the Celldar concept. Global economic downturn has pushed public-sector agencies, transport administrations among them, to push even harder for cost efficiencies. Unfortunately, when it comes to transport safety and efficiency the public sector often has to work up to a cost rather than
  • February 3, 2012
    Receiving real time passenger information in Finland
    David Crawford sees lively prospects for Finnish innovation
  • March 28, 2014
    TfL and Clear Channel team on interactive London bus stop
    Transport for London (TfL) has partnered with media and advertising company Clear Channel UK to trial a real-time mapping tool at a Regent Street, London, bus stop. The new mapping tool, said to be the first of its kind to operate in a UK bus shelter, was developed and funded by Clear Channel to coincide with the Year of the Bus - a celebration of both the heritage of London buses and a look ahead to their future.
  • February 5, 2015
    London’s cycle superhighways get the go ahead
    London’s streets will become more accessible for cyclists now that the Transport for London (TfL) Board has approved plans for the construction of four new cycle superhighways and upgrades to the four existing cycle superhighway routes as part of the Mayor’s Cycling Vision. The schemes, which will cost around US$243 million to deliver between now and the end of 2016, will help treble the number of cycle journeys made over the next ten years and transform London’s streets and spaces to places where cyclis