A digital traffic management project across several major cities in North East England has reduced motorist waiting times by up to 50% at several major congestion points, according to data released by the Tees Valley regional authority.

The Tees Valley FUSION project employs predictive technology to adjust traffic signals in real-time based on live road conditions. The system currently operates across 57 coordinated sites and 196 traffic signals throughout the region, including the cities of Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, and Stockton.

According to the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), the system has saved a total of 5,000 travel hours over one year across six monitored sites. Specific results included 2,780 hours saved at the A174 Parkway Junction and 715 hours saved near Norton Road in Stockton. The total time saved across the network is estimated at more than 200 days of waiting time.

The TVCA has invested more than £2 million in the FUSION project and a related digital twin initiative. These programmes use data modelling to improve the efficiency of existing road infrastructure through collaboration between local councils and urban traffic control centres.

“By using new technology to tackle congestion head-on, we’re cutting journey times and helping people get where they need to be quicker,” said Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. “It shows how we’re using innovation to build a transport network that works better for motorists.”