Roadtown, Tortola - Technicians began testing the sequencing of the new traffic lights and signals yesterday under the supervision of Product Engineer James Cole with Siemens ITS the parent company for JoClaud Enterprises Limited.

Mr. Cole, a qualified technician, installer and trainer, who specialises in video detection, told the Department of Information and Public Relations he is in the Territory to assist with the video detection, finalisation and sequencing of the traffic lights.

“The digital technology, termed Eagle Vision, is being installed at the Road Town Roundabout and at Admin Drive.  These digital cameras are a superior alternative to ground loop cables that tell the traffic controller to turn the light green” Mr. Cole continued.

According to Mr. Cole, “everything in the system is digital which enables us to do a lot of things network wise, like transport video and to communicate with the traffic controllers.  We are very excited about this technology.”

At this stage in the installation, the technicians are testing the lights to determine the volume of traffic, which traverse the intersections. “We will be doing very short-term testing in off peak times for intervals of five to ten minutes to determine volumes for the approaches that are going into the roundabout, and then we will be able to adjust the traffic controller, so that we can efficiently have the intersection operating,” Mr. Cole said.

When asked if the roundabout posed any challenges for them, the technician said, “We do not foresee anything challenging with the sequencing of the lights.  The roundabout is generally like any other intersection. The geometry is a little different but the way that traffic operates is the same as any normal eight-phase quad or four-approach intersection,” Mr. Cole added.

The traffic lights technicians will continue the testing phase until this Thursday, July 2 and the motoring public is asked to adhere to the traffic lights once illuminated.

On 13 March the Government signed a contract with JoClaud Enterprises Limited for the installation of traffic lights and signals at the Road Town Roundabout and at the intersection of Admin and Waterfront Drive in an effort to relieve traffic congestion and to provide a safer and more pedestrian-friendly capital for the residents and visitors of the Territory.