Manual for Smart Streets released

Online guide offers advice on transport, data and EV charging

A new manual to provide guidance to support local authorities in implementing technology that supports traffic management and the operation of streets has been launched.

The Manual for Smart Streets has been produced by the Transport Technology Forum (TTF) and Connected Places Catapult and was launched at the TTF Conference in Leeds.

The online resource includes use cases on how traffic signals will develop to connect to vehicles into the future and how new sources of data can link into implementing other services in the local authority. It also provides recommendations around cyber security.

The Manual for Smart Streets is based on the success of the Manual for Streets which, in the 15 years since its publication, has become an essential document for anyone delivering a local road network. It is hoped that the Manual for Smart Streets will become a sister resource to the earlier report.

The manual was written by Daniel Hobbs, principal technologist at the Connected Places Catapult. “The manual will help local authorities understand the equipment and new technologies that are out there,” said Hobbs.

“It contains evidence about solutions that have been imple-

Bus hopping Edinburgh attendants

A trial to crack down on drivers parking in bus lanes will see City of Edinburgh parking attendants taking to the city’s buses. The initiative aims to improve bus reliability and journey times by reducing disruption caused by incorrectly parked vehicles.

The parking attendants will travel on specific Lothian Buses routes identified as experiencing issues with vehicles blocking bus lanes.

Attendants will be able to disembark buses to move on or issue parking tickets to any drivers breaking the rules and board the next bus on the same route.

Cllr Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said: “We already have an excellent bus service in Edinburgh, relied on by many, and our bus lanes are really important to making sure services can run smoothly and on time, especially during peak hours. This trial will let parking attendants target hotpots in real-time, where drivers continue to park inconsiderately. We’ll continue monitoring its effectiveness to make sure we’re focussing on the right areas.” mented, evidence that they work so that business cases can be written based on knowledge that the new technology is proven.”

The manual contains a series of use cases and resources addressing specific functional areas to assist in both the understanding of how an authority might implement the solutions in its own locality, and also the arguments needed to build a business case for investment:

• Asset management

• EV charging information

• Parking management

• Public transport

• Traffic management

• Road user information

• Transport data management

• Signal control

• Vulnerable road users’ safety

• Cyber security.

“The Manual for Smart Streets is a major new reference document for local authorities to guide authorities in using technology to deliver service, both existing and new,” explained Darren Capes, ITS policy lead at the Department for Transport.

“The manual is written to help ensure that every local authority starts to think about the fact that the coming ten years will see a change in transport in a way that we haven’t seen before in our lifetimes, and I think people need to appreciate that need to have the skills to be ready to react to that.”

The Manual for Smart Streets is on the TTF website: ttf.uk.net/manual-for-smart-streets/

East Lothian tackles overnight stays

Overnight parking is to be banned at number of coastal car parks run by East Lothian Council in Scotland.

The council’s cabinet agreed to start the statutory procedures necessary to introduce and amend Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders to prohibit overnight parking at coastal car parks.

Cllr John McMillan, spokesperson for environment, economic development and tourism, said: “East Lothian’s coast and beaches are popular attractions for both local residents and visitors alike but since the start of the pandemic there has been a considerable increase in the number of vehicles parking overnight.

“Many of these visitors are choosing to camp in and near beach areas and within the car parks themselves and unfortunately this has led to an increase in anti-social activities including damage to the delicate environment through the lighting of fires and barbecues, littering and human waste.

“The increase in vehicles has included a considerable number of campervans and motorhomes selecting to park overnight at the coastal car parks rather than designated camp sites. As these car parks are designed for day visitors they don’t have the facilities to support such overnight stays and further damage has been identified caused by the unlawful emptying of chemical toilets.

“The new Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) approved today are for a period of 18 months only which will provide opportunities to assess effectiveness at tackling incidents of anti-social behaviour at our popular coastal sites.

“Tourism is extremely important to the local economy and the council is working with partners in the private sector to support the creation of suitable sites for campervan and motorhome visitors that provide the essential services needed for their stay.”