Traffic lights ignoring cyclists

The request was successful.

Rev Adrian Kennard

Dear Bracknell Forest Borough Council,

Please can you tell me:-

1. How many traffic lights are within your control
2. How many traffic lights do not recognise/responsd to the presence of a cyclists
3. How many traffic lights will present a RED signal permanently where only a cyclist is waiting to cross a junction.

Yours faithfully,

Rev Adrian Kennard.

Information Compliance-Officer, Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Dear Rev Adrian Kennard.

Thank you for your request for information, below which was received by the Council (17/11/11) and I will deal with under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The FOI Act obliges us to respond to requests promptly, and in any case no later than 20 working days (by 15/12/11) unless it is necessary to consider the public interest, in which case a full response must be provided within such a time as is reasonable in the circumstances and I will write to you again if this occurs.

In some circumstances a fee may be payable and if that is the case, I will let you know. A fee notice will be issued to you, and you will be required to pay before we will proceed to deal with your request.

If you have any queries about this letter, please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in any future correspondence.

Yours sincerely

Information Compliance Team
Legal Services
Corporate Services Department
Bracknell Forest Council
Tel: 01344 353071
Email: [Bracknell Forest Borough Council request email]
Web: www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

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Information Compliance-Officer, Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Email Only

 

Dear  Rev Adrian Kennard

 

I am writing to confirm that the council has completed the processing of
your request for information which was received on 16th November 2011.

 

Please find below a copy of your request, followed by the Council’s
response.

 

Request

 

1. How many traffic lights are within your control

There are currently 27 traffic signal junctions within Bracknell Forest
Council and 40 signalised pedestrian crossings

 

 

2. How many traffic lights do not recognise/respond to the presence of a
cyclists

3. How many traffic lights will present a RED signal permanently where
only a cyclist is waiting to cross a junction.

2/3)        At the UTC (urban traffic control) traffic light junctions,
signals are pre-determined by a fixed time plan, and therefore do not use
an input from any detection. Subsequently each stream of traffic is served
in a pre-determined order, and for a fixed time period, regardless of
vehicles or cyclists waiting stationary at the stop line.

 

Standard methods of traffic light control, more commonly used in
Bracknell, are either above ground detection such as MVD’s (microwave
vehicle detectors)  or magnetic ground loops in the carriageway. The loop
system tends to be more commonly found in Bracknell. In all cases cyclists
can be detected, however due to the modern materials that many bicycles
are constructed from, detection issues can occur with magnetic loops if
the machine does not contain sufficient levels of ferrous metal. In some
cases the loops can be tuned in sensitivity to improve bicycle detection,
however there are constraints as over sensitivity can cause other
operational issues with the junction.

 

It is not possible to provide a determined numerical amount to questions 2
and 3 as the effectiveness of bicycle detection will depend on the
specific machine and/or the method of vehicle detection (if present). The
Council does, however, respond to reported detection problems – within the
limitations of the technology that is currently available.

    

 

 

If you have any queries about this matter please contact me. Please
remember to quote the reference number above in any future communications.

 

The Constitution Unit, a research body at University College London, is
carrying out a study of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and its effect
on local government. An important part of the evaluation process is
gathering the experiences and opinions of FOI requesters like you. Any
information you provide will be handled in accordance with the privacy
policy explained in the survey. If you would like to take part in this
study, please the survey at
[1]http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/yc-fo... . Please
contact Ben Worthy at [2][email address] or on 020 7679 4974 to find
out more about the study or to speak to him further about your
experiences.

 

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your
request and wish to make a complaint or request a review of our decision,
you should use the Comments, Compliments and Complaints procedure which
can be found at

http://www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/your-...

 

If you are not content with the outcome of your complaint, you may apply
directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Generally, the
ICO cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted the complaints
procedure provided by the Council. The Information Commission can be
contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water
Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

Sent on behalf of;

Nicola Thurloway

Solicitor

Information Compliance Team

Legal Services

Easthampstead House

Town Square

Bracknell

Berks

RG12 1AQ

 

Tel: 01344 352000

DD Tel: 01344 353071

 

Email: [3][Bracknell Forest Borough Council request email]

[4]www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

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References

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