Cisco has announced that, in partnership with Davra Networks, it has been selected by Swindon Borough Council (SBC) to gather and analyze real-time data from sensors and other sources to improve mobility and safety across the town, reduce congestion, and improve traffic management.
Councils across the UK are under growing pressure to find long-term solutions to the issue of traffic congestion, which it is predicted could cost the UK more than £300bn (US$372bn) over the next 10 years. Funded by the Department for Transport’s (DfT), Cooperative-Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) and Smart Infrastructure Competition, the project will look to improve traffic management on key routes in the town by providing real-time traffic information to the people of Swindon, and delivering updates to commuters in their vehicles to enable them to avoid congestion. Swindon is one of 19 local authorities across England being asked to come up with ideas to improve journeys through digital innovation.
Supported by an initial deployment of Cisco’s systems, including a number of elements of the company’s Smart+Connected Cities portfolio, the project will also aim to give live updates to fleet managers, allowing the prevention of delivery delays that can also impact ‘just in time’ (JIT) manufacturing processes, ensuring the continued growth of this sector in the town, which currently includes companies such as BMW and Honda. Local GIS (Geographic Information Systems) software developer CartoConsult will also be involved in the project, and will use the latest innovations in mapping and the Internet of Things (IoT) to help improve traffic management on key routes in Swindon.
“Unlocking congestion on our roads has tremendous opportunity to improve productivity in the UK and technology, specifically digitization, has a key role to play in helping solve this age old challenge. As a company, we are committed to the development of Smart City projects and as such, we are delighted to have been invited by Swindon Borough Council to help them provide a better experience for road users,” commented Scot Gardner, chief executive of Cisco UK & Ireland. “We look forward to seeing the project evolve, highlighting the impact smart technology can have on people in Swindon, and hope to see similar programs rolled out in every town and city within the UK and beyond.”
Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, Keith Williams, noted, “Every urban location suffers from congestion, and Swindon is no different. The smart transport initiative, in conjunction with Cisco, is the next step to ensuring that we can optimize the roads in our town and, ultimately, ensure our citizens are safe while traveling around. We are looking forward to kicking off the project, utilizing the real-time data and experiencing the benefits that this technology can offer.”
Luke Manuel, UK sales manager for California-based Davra Networks, added, “We are very excited by this opportunity with Cisco and Swindon Borough Council to continue to grow out our award winning IoT Platform, by delivering real-time traffic data for the residents and businesses of Swindon.”
