The solution

Initially, our Urban64 team explained the system and its benefits – ultimately, this would be a more efficient solution as we were able to implement separately signalled movements.

The next step was to produce an Urban64 layout design to maximise the efficient operation of the junction whilst enabling refurbishment works and access around the site. A site visit was carried out to agree and mark-out the block positions.

Installation and removal took just one night under lane closures, with minimal disruption to traffic.

Technical Benefits

Using LINSIG modelling, we were able to demonstrate why Urban64 would be a great solution for Bridgend’s signal improvement scheme. Results suggest that by replicating the permanent system, Urban64 delivers several benefits vs its portable alternative. To explain a little further, under portable signals it isn’t possible for individual pedestrian phases to run with specific traffic movements (walk with traffic). Under a portable arrangement, vehicular traffic needs to stop on all approaches to allow pedestrians to cross on each arm. Another downside of using a portable system on a scheme of this size, is that pedestrians would need to cross the road in two cycles – one cycle to cross into the central island, and another cycle from the centre island to the other side of the road.
The difference in green time is also derived from the impact of splitting the main road. This means that the main road (in this case the northbound and southbound), run together, then one of the movements stops to allow a right turn from the opposing direction. This is the most efficient way of running the junction. Portable signals cannot operate like this. They only ‘split’ the main road, by running the northbound traffic followed by the southbound traffic.

The value of ~860m is based on the difference between green times in an hour,so if the Urban64 / Permanent signals were at or over capacity (at capacity, every vehicle that turns up gets through first time with no wasted green time. Over capacity, after each green there are vehicles in a queue that couldn’t get through on the first cycle), and a portable signal setup was introduced, then after the first hour there would be an extra 860m of queues divided up across each approach. The ratio across each approach would depend on the specific green time changes. Urban64 is a dynamic solution, which utilises VA (Vehicle Actuation) to extend green times as needed. The system can also use MOVA to improve system efficiency.

Summary

So, how did the system fair? Colin Hill, Street Lighting Manager at Bridgend County Borough Council reflected, “Urban64 performed flawlessly and made the whole project run so well. For the first time in a job of this size, we didn’t receive a single complaint from the public. This is something that we will look to utilise in the future for schemes that are suitable for longer term intelligent temporary signals.”

Throughout the entire hire period, the client reported zero faults, and perfect reliability. That being said, with our dedicated 24/7 fault number, the Urban64 team are always on hand to help if you need them.