andMr. D. Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment if he will issue a directive to the responsible authority to improve the efficiency of traffic flow, apart altogether from the cost factor to individual motorists, by having traffic lights synchronised on all major traffic routes throughout Dublin city and county.
Written Answers. - Traffic Light Synchronisation.
305.
Mr. N. Andrews
As the operation of traffic lights is a matter for the road authorities themselves it would not be appropriate for me to issue such a directive. However, road authorities are given every encouragement to provide traffic light synchronisation, where appropriate.
Since 1979, Dublin Corporation have operated a central computer system to which traffic signals have been connected on a phased basis, the first phase of which will be completed this year. On completion of this project, known as Urban Traffic Control (UTC), traffic signals on all the main traffic routes within the approximate boundary of the Grand Canal and the North Circular road, will be synchronised. The cost of this scheme has, since 1982, been financed fully by State grants, paid by the Department of Communications.
It is the general policy of each of the road authorities in the Dublin area to provide synchronisation on the major routes where this is desirable and feasible. However, outside the area covered by the UTC system, the scope for synchronisation is limited, having regard to factors such as the type and volume of traffic and frequency of junctions.