This request is in regards to the traffic lights which control traffic between the A124 Barking Road, Hermit Road and Beckton Road (the co-ordinates which can be put in Google maps are 51.518173, 0.013453) in the E16 Area. The timing of the traffic lights for vehicles travelling on Barking Road from the North East towards the South West (towards Canning Town) is very odd and often lasts for around 10 seconds. On seeing the junction and this timing, most people would agree this time is too short. 1) How long is each phase/timings - both traffic and pedestrian - of these traffic lights? 2) When was the last time that the phase/timings were evaluated, and how was this done? 3) When was the last time that the phase/timings were changed, and what was that change? 4) When is the next time that the phase/timings are going to be evaluated/changed, if at all? 5) How many, if any, complaints have been recieved about this junction since the last change?

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TfL Ref: FOI-3139-1819

Thank you for your email received by Transport for London (TfL) on 17 February 2019.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm we do hold the information you require. You asked:

The timing of the traffic lights for vehicles travelling on Barking Road from the North East towards the South West (towards Canning Town) is very odd and often lasts for around 10 seconds. On seeing the junction and this timing, most people would agree this time is too short.

1) How long is each phase/timings - both traffic and pedestrian - of these traffic lights?

The junction operates on an adaptive control system called SCOOT; it uses sensors in the carriageway to measure the traffic demand on each arm and vary the green times continually throughout the day to best minimise queues, delay and congestion. Currently the junction has two traffic sensors which are faulty and out for repair by our contractors. Once permits have been agreed with the London Borough of Newham, they can schedule in the necessary repairs to restore the junction back to normal performance. This is likely contributing to the shorter greens you have experienced.

Average durations are tabulated below for weekdays over the past three months.

Stage and Phases	AM Peak (05:30 – 10:00)	Off Peak (10:00 – 15:30)	PM Peak (15:30 – 20:00)
Stage 1 (A & C)	27 seconds	35 seconds	41 seconds
Stage 2 (B)	14 seconds	10 seconds	12 seconds
Stage 3 (D)	10 seconds	9 seconds	10 seconds
Stage 4 – Pedestrians (E)	6 seconds (standard for crossing invitations)	6 seconds (standard for crossing invitations)	6 seconds (standard for crossing invitations)

2) When was the last time that the phase/timings were evaluated, and how was this done?

The timings were observed and reviewed between 02/08/2018 and 18/10/2018. This was performed through a series of site visits and observations of the junction covering AM peak, lunch peak, PM peak, late evening and overnight.  Parameters were reviewed to improve how the junction balances the green time and to rectify issues with the bus priority system.

3) When was the last time that the phase/timings were changed, and what was that change?

Timings were finalised on 18/10/2018 following timing review.

4) When is the next time that the phase/timings are going to be evaluated/changed, if at all?

The London Borough of Newham is currently working with TfL to evaluate potential improvements to this junction; it’s currently inefficient as the main road movements do not run together and cause a high delay for road users and buses.  If physical changes are taken forward following the study, then we will undertake a full timing review to maximise the performance of the junction once it’s constructed.

5) How many, if any, complaints have been received about this junction since the last change?

Our records show one complaint from a bus operator asking why the main road traffic movements cannot run together and another complaint from a member of public asking why they are held for a long time at a red signal when travelling along Barking Road westbound.  Both are beyond the resolution of timing changes alone relating to the design of the junction and these comments have been fed into the scheme as explained in question 4.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

  

This request is in regards to the traffic lights which control traffic between the A124 Barking Road, Hermit Road and Beckton Road (the co-ordinates which can be put in Google maps are 51.518173, 0.013453) in the E16 Area.

The timing of the traffic lights for vehicles travelling on Barking Road from the North East towards the South West (towards Canning Town) is very odd and often lasts for around 10 seconds. On seeing the junction and this timing, most people would agree this time is too short.

1) How long is each phase/timings - both traffic and pedestrian - of these traffic lights?

2) When was the last time that the phase/timings were evaluated, and how was this done?

3) When was the last time that the phase/timings were changed, and what was that change?

4) When is the next time that the phase/timings are going to be evaluated/changed, if at all?

5) How many, if any, complaints have been recieved about this junction since the last change?

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