Kildare is set to benefit from €41,250 for a local upgrade to the traffic signal communications under the Digital Innovation Programme according to Fine Gael TD for Kildare South and Chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, Martin Heydon.

All remote traffic signals installations in County Kildare such as signalised junctions, Pelican Crossings and speed signs connect to a Remote Monitoring System based in Kildare County Council Headquarters. The Remote Monitoring System alerts staff in the Traffic Management Centre of faults that occur on-site in order to rectify faults in a safe and timely manner.

Deputy Heydon said the said: “I very much welcome the funding for the upgrading of critical Traffic Signals communications infrastructure in Kildare. The current system uses the old GMS Telemetry, but this method of communication has become unreliable. Service providers have indicated that they will no longer support this network and this method of communication will become obsolete.

“This is an issue that will become increasingly relevant to other local authorities, but also gives Kildare County Council an opportunity to make these technologies 5G ready. This project will serve as a proof-of-concept initiative, improving the quality of connectivity to traffic lights.

“The project will involve;
• swapping out old style modems with digital supported modems

• Reconfiguring the sites with IP addresses on the RMS system in-station,

• Testing the performance and reliability of the new communication method

• Carrying out a cost benefit analysis of operating cost of Digital with Telemetry dial up technology

“The Digital Innovation Programme is designed to support and encourage imaginative uses of technology for the common good. The response to the latest call for applications under the Digital Innovation Programme was particularly strong and the potential future savings that will come from piloting these initiatives ahead of large scale rollout are significant, as are the immediate benefits for many people across Ireland.”