New 5G technology to be trialled which sends traffic information straight to your car dashboard
It’s been revealed that new plans are underway which could see the removal of motorway gantries in favour of in-car technology.
Highways England are to trial new 5G technology which will enable traffic information to be sent straight to a car’s dashboard.
The test will begin in December this year on the A2 and M2 between London and Dover and if successful, outdated and unnecessary road signs will be taken down.
Could this be the end for motorway road signs in the UK?
The 5G technology will allow for traffic information such as weather reports, speed limits, news of tailbacks further ahead which will include suggesting an alternative route and what the best lane is to be in, to be sent directly to a car dashboard.
It’s believed that the new technology is an important step forward for driverless cars in order to work properly here in the UK.
A report has been published by Highways England which says that the UK’s new 5G network will enable information to be beamed straight into cars whilst they move along some of our busiest stretches of road.
The report says: ‘This may eventually allow some roadside infrastructure, such as gantries, to be removed.’
The trial is estimated to cost around £20 million and will continue up until the end of 2020. The new technology will only work in the newest of cars.
Concern has been expressed by Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, who said that the technology is there but was worried about removing too many signs just in case the technology stopped working.
The new technology is being used already in Belgium, France and Holland.
A review earlier in the year by the DfT found that many road signs in the UK are no longer relevant and could be taken down.
Over the past 20 years, the number of road signs has doubled to 4.3 million, causing confusion for motorists and creating more clutter on our streets.
According to the report, the overuse of pointless signs has ‘become so widespread that it is verging on national humiliation’ and suggests that nine out of 10 signs should be removed from the side of the road.
Please click here to find out more about our car leasing services and fantastic offers for both Business and Personal customers, or give us a call on 0800 311 8290.
Drop us a quick email to talk@flexed.co.uk or chat with a member of our team NOW using our online ‘We Are Here!’ service – we’ll gladly answer any leasing questions you may have.
