Picture: City of Glasgow
Glasgow City Council has become the first local authority in the UK to install cycle-activated electronic signage on the road network.
The LED warning signs are designed to reduce incidents of conflict, particularly where travel routes cross side junctions or building entrances. The signs illuminate a cycle symbol to alert drivers to the prescence of cyclists.
The signs are prompted by cycle movement and have been installed at multiple locations across the city following a successful pilot. An added bonus is that the electronic signals are solar powered.
The city of Glasgow has said that the installation of the signage is a key safety initiative that aims to minimise the likelihood of conflict between road users where “location constraints can affect sight lines and heighten the potential for drivers to pull out or turn across the path of cyclists.”
Drawing on the council’s experience of using smart sensor technology to accurately detect cycle movement, the council has explored the possibility of installing cycle-activated electronic signage to increase safety at specific points of the road network.
The pilot was extremely successful and showed a decrease in the percentage of conflicts and cyclists at the junction of Berkeley Street and Claremont Street. The signage has been installed across multiple locations in the city, with more to follow.
“We want people to think of cycling as accessible, safe and attractive, and as an everyday transport mode and leisure activity,” said Cllr Angus Millar, Transport and Climate Convener.
“Creating a safer cycling city is a key element of our Cycling Plan in which we have pledged to improve safety for cyclists by providing better facilities and encouraging mutual respect between all road and path users.
“Our cycle-activated signage project is an innovative and environmentally-friendly solution that seeks to prioritise and protect vulnerable road users and prevent collisions. Initiatives such as this which focuses on reducing potential incidents on our road network benefit all road users and highlight our resolute commitment to making cycling an enjoyable and viable way to get around.”
The cycle activated signage project was discussed as part of a wider paper on active travel that was brought before the Environment, Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Committee on 4 October 2022.
