Is Smart Traffic The Answer To Congested Commutes?

Congested and time consuming commutes can be a real source of frustration when you’re trying to complete a packed day’s worth of courier jobs. Smart traffic has been suggested as a solution to this issue, with those who support the idea pointing to how it could reduce congestion during the busiest hours of the day.

For couriers, reduced congestion time would mean shorter delivery times and, with that, a more efficient and productive working day. Another benefit of reduced congestion would be that drivers wouldn’t have to spend as much time sitting stationary for long periods on their courier jobs, when they could be much more productive.

Congestion: Out of Control?

A recent study from ATG Access has found that around 65% of those who responded to the survey are frustrated with the congestion levels in their city. The breakdown across the regions surveyed in this report isn’t particularly surprising, with 76% of Londoners frustrated with congestion, whilst 74% in the South East and 68% in the South West share their dislike of present traffic levels.

Smart Solutions: Increasingly Popular

Measures that would address the issues of congested cities are becoming increasingly popular. The same survey from ATG Access discovered that just under three-quarters would like to see smart city measures implemented in order to tackle a problem that is evidently growing.

Green Light for Better Lights?

Those who believed these measures would be the most productive in improving the flow of traffic within UK cities identify smart traffic lights, which would be responsive to traffic levels in real time, as the most sensible of the options available. Some 75% of all of those surveyed in the study recognise this measure to be the best.

The survey showed that 67% of people want to see improved control of lights during the busiest hours of the day, something they believe would help workers using the roads for commercial courier jobs. It seems drivers are willing to pay, too, with well over half of those surveyed happy for their taxes to contribute to an enhanced lighting system in order to solve the growing levels of congestion in UK cities.

Do Drivers Still Back Traditional Measures?

The report also revealed that traditional traffic control methods are no longer viewed as productive. These measures achieved the lowest approval ratings in the survey, with just 37% of respondents believing that more parking restrictions are the solution to the present problem. In addition, just 40% would now support designated cycle and bus lanes as the main way to tackle congestion in UK cities.

For anyone working on courier jobs, congestion can be a real source of frustration. Not only does it reduce efficiency and productivity, it can also leave drivers sitting stationary for lengthy periods when they would much rather be out completing jobs. Many now believe that smart measures are the way to tackle the issue, with greater traffic light control and smart lights among the suggested solutions.

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Norman Dulwich is a correspondent for Courier Exchange, the world's largest neutral trading hub for same day courier jobs in the express freight exchange industry. Over 5,400 member companies are networked together through the Exchange to fill empty capacity, get new clients and form long-lasting business relationships.