New traffic signals activated
Supporters Trust members may recall the presentation by Steve Croft at one of our meetings where he discussed the new traffic signals being introduced by Barnsley Council at Alhambra Roundabout.
The new traffic signals on the approaches to the Alhambra Roundabout have now been brought into operation.
The signals, situated at the junctions of Westway, Harborough Hill and Sheffield Road, will only be operational during busy periods. They will automatically detect congestion or excessive differences in lengths of queues on the approach to the roundabout. The detector information is relayed to the central traffic control system which then determines when to switch the signals on and off. In turn, this will reduce and balance the queues more evenly. This will also make the operation of other nearby traffic signal junctions more efficient as vehicles queues shouldn't back up into them as often.
The technology being used is similar to the ramp metering signals used on motorway slip roads during peak periods, which throttles back the flow of slip road traffic trying to merge with the busy congested motorway lanes.
Despite the signals, motorists should be aware that the site will still operate as a roundabout and standard Highway Code rules apply of giving way to traffic coming from the right.
Although the traffic signals have been covered over for several weeks the detector loops have been collecting important traffic data which has been used to determine the most appropriate trigger levels for activating the signals. The information collected has been invaluable for initial configurations but there will still be a period of fine tuning required once the signals go live to ensure they are activating and working to their optimum.
The existing pedestrian crossings over Westway will still remain in full time operation, but can also be automatically activated to control traffic flow when needed to assist in balancing queues.
Supporters should see an improvement in traffic flows on match days.