Skip to main content

Siemens refurb signals savings

Major refurbishment of traffic technology across Medway, part of the Thames Gateway area, is underway to significantly reduce energy and communications costs with newly-developed products from Siemens.Aimed at reducing carbon emissions and power consumption, the project near London, involves replacing over 600 signal heads with new Siemens retrofit technology at sites in Rainham, Rochester, Gillingham and Chatham. Communications equipment is also being upgraded with the deployment of new UG405 outstation tr
February 6, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Major refurbishment of traffic technology across Medway, part of the Thames Gateway area, is underway to significantly reduce energy and communications costs with newly-developed products from 1134 Siemens.

Aimed at reducing carbon emissions and power consumption, the project near London, involves replacing over 600 signal heads with new Siemens retrofit technology at sites in Rainham, Rochester, Gillingham and Chatham. Communications equipment is also being upgraded with the deployment of new UG405 outstation transmission units (OTUs) from Siemens.

According to Alan Hawker, Medway's traffic signal engineer, the unitary authority plans a major shift towards Extra Low Voltage (ELV) technology over the next year.

"ELV from Siemens will make a significant contribution not just in reduced power consumption but also ongoing maintenance. We have even looked at how much time is taken up travelling with a vehicle to replace a lamp or attend a lamp failure: this is a green issue too," he said.

In addition to ELV technology, Siemens low-power Helios retrofit enables both existing Siemens Helios and Peek Elite signal equipment throughout Medway to be upgraded to the latest CLS LED technology, while maximising the reuse of existing roadside infrastructure.

The refurbishment project includes a new UTMC database, car park guidance systems, VMS signage and migration to IP-based communications network and the latest UG405 communications protocol. Allowing traffic technology to use the existing council network which links offices, schools and libraries is calculated to deliver significant communications cost savings for Medway as well as deliver improvements to the existing Urban Traffic Control (UTC) network.

With a total of 210 junctions including crossings, the project also involves the installation of new ELV controllers at over 50 sites, upgrading existing controllers to drive LED signals, Telscan CCTV cameras from Siemens at almost 40 locations and the conversion of more than 100 sites to LED.

Offering power and carbon savings of over 75%, the retrofit modules fit existing traffic signal bodies, minimising waste and disposal issues, and further enhancing the carbon savings achieved. Completion is scheduled for March 2011.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Higher production from all-wheel-drive haulers
    August 2, 2012
    The improvements to articulated dump trucks (ADTs) have been substantial in recent years. Comparing a present day machine with one from 20 or even just 10 years ago shows how far design has come. Major improvements have been made in visibility, operator comfort levels, rough terrain performance, driveline efficiency and productivity, to name but a few key areas. All of the latest generation ADTs available on the world market now come with Tier 3/Stage IIIA compliant diesels that produce far lower noise and
  • European project to deliver green traffic management
    March 20, 2012
    A major European project aimed at delivering green traffic management systems in European cities and towns will be officially launched at the National Space Centre in Leicester, England, tomorrow. The project, which brings together research clusters from five European regions, is being led by the University of Leicester and Leicester City Council. Other local partners are De Montfort University, The University of Nottingham and Astrium Services – Leicester who will be working in partnership with research cl
  • Student invents hologram road signs that ‘pulse’ at drivers
    June 5, 2013
    A British student hopes his new hologram road signs which ‘pulse’ at drivers will lead to a revolution in the way motorists are given information on the roads. Nottingham Trent University (NTU) undergraduate Charles Gale has already obtained a patent for his design and is set to meet with transport officials to discuss how it could be used across the UK.
  • Smart excavators coming to market
    March 23, 2021
    New excavators coming to market offer a combination of increased performance and smart technology