ITS UK Calls for Urgent Action on Failing Road Traffic Signals

Why It Matters

A failing signal infrastructure threatens road safety and inflates local‑authority budgets, while hindering the UK’s transition to connected, low‑carbon mobility solutions.

Key Takeaways

• Over half of England’s traffic signals have exceeded their lifespan
• ITS UK predicts 61% will be obsolete within two years
• Modernising signals can cut local authority maintenance costs significantly
• Upgraded infrastructure enables connected and automated vehicle deployment
• Transport tech sector adds $4.1bn value and 45k jobs to UK

Pulse Analysis

The United Kingdom’s traffic‑signal fleet is aging faster than many planners anticipated. More than half of England’s intersections now run on equipment that has outlived its design life, leading to increased failure rates, longer wait times and higher accident risk. As local councils grapple with tighter budgets, the cost of emergency repairs and premature replacements erodes funds that could otherwise support road‑maintenance or public‑transport projects. Moreover, outdated signals impede the rollout of low‑carbon transport modes, because intelligent traffic‑management systems rely on reliable, data‑rich infrastructure to optimise flow and reduce emissions.

ITS UK’s "Stuck on Red" campaign seeks to shift the narrative from reactive fixes to proactive modernization. By publishing a red‑amber‑green heatmap, the group quantifies the scale of the problem and provides a visual tool for policymakers at national, regional and local levels. The association argues that the required investment would represent only a small slice of existing road‑spending, yet deliver outsized returns through reduced maintenance, lower congestion and enhanced safety. The campaign also positions upgraded signals as a prerequisite for emerging technologies such as connected and automated vehicles, which depend on real‑time communication between infrastructure and onboard systems.

Beyond safety and efficiency, modern traffic‑signal networks generate broader economic benefits. The UK transport‑technology sector contributes roughly $4.1 billion in economic value, supports 45,000 jobs and yields about $635 million in annual tax revenue. Investing in signal upgrades can amplify these figures by fostering innovation ecosystems around smart mobility, data analytics and vehicle‑to‑infrastructure services. As the UK pursues its net‑zero transport goals, a resilient, digitally enabled signal infrastructure will be a cornerstone of sustainable urban mobility and a catalyst for future growth.