Innovative new technology set to make roads in London safer and smarter

Immense will use technology to model the impact of roadworks on journeys before they take place.The new technology will be introduced to London’s road network in the coming months
TfL continues to work with innovative companies from across the UK to improve transport for everyone in London.Transport for London (TfL) is set to start using innovative new technology from two UK start-ups, to reduce road danger and disruption caused by roadworks and unplanned incidents on the capital’s road network. The technology will make a real difference to keeping people safe, helping to cut congestion and cleaning up London’s air.

In 2019, TfL launched an innovation challenge called RoadLab, which called on the UK’s leading innovators to develop technology that could make roadworks in the capital safer, smarter and more accessible. Nine innovators were chosen to go through to a ten-week programme, where their proposed technology was trialled and developed with the support of London’s major utility companies and London Councils.

Following a procurement process, TfL has now awarded contracts to samdesk and Immense for technology that will make the management of London’s road network safer, smarter and more efficient.

Immense uses innovative simulation technology that models roadworks to understand their impact on the capital’s road network before they take place. The software can provide TfL and utilities staff with information on predicted congestion impacts, increases in emissions and the safety impacts of planned roadworks. This information can then be used to inform people in London about predicted impacts to their intended journey.

Software from samdesk leverages artificial intelligence and real time anonymised social media data to detect emerging disruptions, giving TfL staff a faster and more comprehensive insight into incidents unfolding across the transport network. Having early access to information about incidents across London will help TfL to respond to them more quickly.

Ensuring that people and goods can move around the capital’s road network safely and efficiently is vital to a healthy and sustainable recovery from coronavirus. TfL is now working with Immense and samdesk to prepare the new technology for use on the capital’s road network, and will start to use software from both companies in the coming months.

The programme was funded by TfL's Lane Rental scheme, which charges roadworks companies for digging up London’s busiest roads at times that cause the most disruption to people’s journeys. This money is then invested in tackling congestion and minimising the impact of roadworks and has saved £100m in lost travel time since the scheme started.

TfL Image - samdesk