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New traffic light system sees motorists' waiting times slashed in North Hykeham

The experimental system to improve traffic flow at the junction of Moor Lane and Lincoln Road in North Hykeham has been heralded a success and has now been made permanent.
A NEW system designed to improve traffic flow around a notorious junction in North Hykeham has been heralded a success.
Lincolnshire County Council installed an experimental sequencing system at traffic lights at the junction of Moor Lane and Lincoln Road last December.
Now, officials claim it has reduced waiting times for motorists so significantly they have made the changes permanent.

The system uses a new signal sequence and comprises a timing device called Microprocessor Optimised Vehicle Actuation (MOVA), which maximises green light time to match traffic flow.

Highways officers observed the junction using CCTV coverage and claim there has been a reduction in delays of 31 per cent in the morning peak travel period and 35 per cent in the evenings since it was installed.
Principal engineer Tim Clark said: "We carried out this experiment to try to resolve local concerns about increased delays for motorists and pedestrians in the area.
"It's had such a positive impact on traffic flow that we decided to make the changes permanent.
"The latest MOVA system is an impressive piece of equipment that reduces delays for motorists, especially at congested isolated junctions.
"It can change the green signal timings more effectively to deal with varying traffic levels.
"It does this through better flow monitoring by detecting movement, gaps in the flow and the end of queues.
"An added bonus of the new sequence is that pedestrians have less waiting time and we will be adding a bleeping sound for the pedestrian crossings.
"This can be particularly helpful for people with impaired sight, or children."

Councillor Wallace Lee, of North Hykeham Town Council, said: "Comments from North Hykeham residents on the re-timing of these traffic lights have been very positive.
"The long tailbacks at peak hours have been dramatically reduced.
"Also the safety aspect has improved as drivers are less inclined to rush the red lights."

John Siddle, communications manager at the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: "Although this isn't a collision hotspot, we had heard some road users were taking chances at this junction.
"With these new changes in place to smooth traffic flow, drivers are less likely to be involved in a collision."
However, Bob McWatt, member of North Hykeham Town Twinning Association and resident of Chapel Lane, disagrees.
He said: "It seems a little dangerous to me. People are now trying to turn right across the traffic and I'm worried it might lead to a crash."