‘Rapid response system’ could tackle traffic chaos
Published:
-
-
Author: Stephen Corrigan
~ 2 minutes read
From this week's Galway City Tribune
The painful effects of ‘crippling traffic snarl ups’ could be dulled by the response of a ‘rapid response system’.
That’s according to a city councillor who has called for more effective operation of City Hall’s ‘underutilised’ Urban Traffic Management Centre (UTMC) – a facility which cost around €1.5 million to install.
Cllr Peter Keane (FF) said the centre, which screens live CCTV footage of more than 50 junctions in the city, facilitated intervention in traffic light sequencing and would enable a rapid response when collisions or incidents caused gridlock on the roads.
But he said, despite frequent questions about how the UTMC was operating, the Council Executive was treating this information “like the Third Secret of Fatima”.
The centre had been sold to councillors as a means of monitoring traffic in real-time and facilitating an immediate response to incidents, similar to how roads in Dublin are managed.
However, it was unclear if and when the Galway facility was staffed, or if City Hall engineers were intervening when a response was required.
“It’s very difficult to get any information as to how it is operating – we’re not told if it’s manned, at what times, or what level of intervention we have.
“We have situations arising like an incident on the Quincentenary Bridge at 8.30am and then, traffic travelling in every direction around the city grinds to a halt for three hours,” said Cllr Keane.
“I raised this question again at a recent Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) meeting and the response was that it was a matter for the ‘blue light’ services,” he added.
More like this:
Galway sees second biggest jump in January car sales in the country
Galway saw the second biggest surge of any county in Ireland in new car purchases during the mont...
Galway business leaders raise €217,091 for COPE Galway’s homeless service
The 44 brave souls who took part in the thirteenth annual COPE Galway Business Leaders’ Sleep Out...
Crowdfunding will help get storm-ravaged food business back on its feet
Aonghus Ó Coistealbha agreed it was ‘mad’ to venture outside as Storm Éowyn was doing its worst a...
Galway's new TDs weigh in on Government response to Storm Éowyn
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMGalway's newest TDs have been weighing in on the Gove...
Galway companies showcased at tourism promotion event in France
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMAran Island Ferries and Killary Fjord Boat Tours have...
Night-time initiative for young people returns to Galway for 2025
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMA night-time initiative designed for young people is ...
Updated information of city and county Community Response Hubs
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMShowers will remain available in Galway City Communit...
Dunmore native Caoimhe Glynn, otherwise known as Reylta, competes at Eurosong Final tonight
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMDunmore native singer-songwriter Caoimhe Glynn, also ...
Galway gears up for global Marching Band Championships
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMYou might have heard during the week that Galway has ...