Filenews 28 April 2025 - by Vasos Vassiliou
In the summer of 2027, smart traffic lights are expected to be operational, which will simplify the life of drivers, with a reduction in waiting time, travel time, fuel consumption, pollutant emissions, etc.
To the extent that smart traffic lights have the results that everyone expects, then this will probably be the most important intervention in the effort to alleviate the traffic confusion that all citizens are experiencing, given that the measures taken so far have had meagre results.
It is worth noting that the measures are expected to reduce travel time between 10-25%, delays by 15-30%, travel time for public transport up to 28%, fuel reduction by 8-10%, etc.
Moreover, as stated by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, the system will be able to give priority, among other things, to buses and emergency vehicles, while it will be able to immediately inform the system about breakdowns at traffic lights.
One of the great advantages of the system is that depending on the vehicles waiting at the junctions with traffic lights, the green time will be regulated. That is, if on the one hand there are no vehicles waiting and on the other hand there is a queue, the duration of the green light will be extended where the vehicles are waiting, so that queues do not form unnecessarily, as is the case today.
Although at this stage there was a delay of 2-3 months in the start of the project, due to a bidder's appeal before the Tender Review Authority, the issue is expected to be clarified by June, when it will be finally decided which company will undertake the contract, which concerns the districts of Nicosia and Limassol.
The project concerns the implementation of a system for the self-regulation of traffic lights in real time and with this, the Ministry of Transport expects the following beneficial results for drivers, the environment and the economy.
-Reduction of travel time by 10-25%
-Reduction of delays by 15-30%
-A "stop-start" reduction of 10-30%
-Reduction of travel time by public transport by 28%
-Reduction of fuel consumption by 8-10%
– Reduction of pollutant emissions by 10-15%
-Reduction of air quality burden -Improvement of quality of life.
The system will collect traffic data from sensors placed at key points of the road network in urban areas, process it in real time and give instructions on how the traffic lights work.
Specifically, the system will:
· It adjusts the green traffic light time according to traffic, with the aim of reducing delays.
· It coordinates the operation of adjacent light-controlled junctions on road corridors, in order to reduce the "start-stop" effect, while reducing fuel consumption and air pollutant emissions.
· It can give priority to buses and emergency vehicles.
· It immediately informs about breakdowns in traffic lights. The aim is to prevent road collisions through immediate intervention.
· Allows strategies to be implemented (e.g., restricting access to specific areas and hours.)
· It allows monitoring and will provide the possibility of intervention by the control center (e.g. bypassing road works, road collisions, etc.).
According to the Department of Public Works, the aim of the project is to better manage traffic which will lead to an increase in the traffic capacity of the road network, a reduction in the travel time of vehicles and an upgrade of road safety.
The proposed system will be applied to 125 light-controlled contributions
According to Public Works, the proposed system will be implemented in 125 light-controlled condominiums in Nicosia (75) and Limassol (50).
The system has the additional ability to connect up to 500 light-controlled connectors throughout Cyprus for remote access. It is estimated that there are currently around 370 intersections in Cyprus that are controlled by traffic lights.
The tender concerning the project (installation, configuration, operation and maintenance of a new urban traffic control system (UTC) in Nicosia and Limassol) was announced in January 2024 and the Department of Public Works reached a decision as to which bidder won the tender, but due to an appeal by one, the final decision will be taken in the next few months.
The cost estimate amounts to €7.13 million (+VAT) and includes a 24-month execution period and 5-year maintenance. The successful bidder proposed to implement the project for €6,186,752 while the second bidder (who also registered the appeal) proposed €7,111,988.
The Contract also includes supporting technical/construction works such as excavations, shafts, upgrading of the premises where the system will be installed, as well as training of competent Officers of the Department of Public Works in the regulation and operation and as specified in detail in the Tender Documents.
The Minister of Transport, Mr. Alexis Vafeadis, had stated that according to a study carried out, it was found that in the countries where these systems have been installed, there has been a decrease in traffic, with an improvement that starts from 10% and reaches up to 35%.
Responding to a question, Mr. Vafeadis had mentioned that the purpose is for smart lights to be installed throughout Cyprus, noting that they aim to upgrade the efficiency of the road network.
The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund of Cohesion Policy, EU "THALIA 2021-2027" Programme.
