Old equipment New Connections

Struggling to obtain old street infrastructure equipment?

From time-to-time old equipment gets to the point where it is no longer supported, meaning it won’t continue to work or cannot be bought like-for-like. This can be a problem as this type of equipment could be the missing link to connecting your city or town.

NOW Wireless has a solution, click the link below to learn more:

Enhancing traffic signal efficiency with wireless solutions

In today's urban environments, traffic congestion is increasingly problematic. Fortunately, wireless technology is revolutionizing traffic management, making signals smarter and more responsive.

Traffic Light extensions provide reduced communications costs while offering power and connectivity for CCTV, air quality sensors, AI, Bluetooth, and CAV technologies. Wireless solutions can save local authorities up to 95% in communication costs. Typically, 20 traffic lights can be added to one backhaul, and even a single wireless link can cut costs by 50%. Mesh5G is currently installed on 10,000 traffic lights across the UK to enhance efficiency.

Key Benefits of Wireless Traffic Solutions:

1. Adaptive Traffic Signal Systems Wireless technology enables traffic signals to adjust in real-time based on actual traffic flow rather than pre-programmed schedules. Using sensors, cameras, and wireless communication, signals can respond dynamically to conditions—shortening green light duration during low traffic periods or extending it during peak hours to optimize flow.

2. Real-Time Data and Analytics Wireless sensors in roads, traffic lights, and vehicles collect valuable data about traffic patterns and congestion levels. This information is transmitted to centralized control systems for real-time analysis, allowing operators to make informed decisions. The data also helps city planners analyze long-term trends for infrastructure improvements.

3. Vehicle-to-Infrastructure Communication V2I communication allows vehicles to interact directly with traffic signals through technologies like DSRC or 5G. Vehicles can send and receive signals to and from traffic lights, improving traffic flow. Traffic signals can relay information to drivers about upcoming light changes, helping them adjust speed accordingly.

4. Pedestrian and Bicycle Detection Wireless sensors detect pedestrians and cyclists at crossings, automatically adjusting signals to give them priority when needed. This improves safety and reduces delays for all road users.

5. Emergency Vehicle Priority Wireless solutions help clear paths for emergency vehicles by giving them priority at traffic lights. When an emergency vehicle approaches, it communicates with nearby signals, turning lights green to create a clear path. This reduces response times and improves safety.

6. Air Quality Monitoring The Now Wireless IA Series of air quality monitors offer low-cost, ultra-sensitive gas sensors for pollution detection. Using AI and hardware integration, these sensors can measure pollution with high precision. The system's machine learning capabilities can predict pollution levels an hour in advance by analyzing data from various sources, allowing problems to be resolved proactively.

7. Remote Monitoring and Maintenance Wireless technology enables remote diagnostics of traffic signal systems. Control centers can monitor performance and identify issues without dispatching technicians. Remote updates and adjustments can be made without physical intervention, ensuring traffic systems run smoothly.

8. Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability Wireless systems are more affordable than traditional wired traffic systems, requiring less physical infrastructure and easier deployment. They offer greater scalability as cities grow, with new sensors and devices easily added without significant system overhauls.

By leveraging wireless solutions, cities can make their traffic signals more adaptive and efficient. These technologies improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, enhance safety, and contribute to a cleaner urban environment. As wireless solutions continue to evolve, the potential for smarter traffic management will only increase, transforming how we navigate our cities.

Now Wireless is leading the fight against traffic pollution

In recent years, more local authorities have been keen to introduce Clean Air Zones. Here, purposeful action is taken in targeted high-polluting areas to improve air quality to benefit the health and well-being of city dwellers as well as increasing their desirability to live, work and spend leisure time in urban areas. 

Ultimately, 'Clear Air Zones’ need to support city growth and a smooth transition to low emission economy for better sustainable living. 

How do local authorities create 'Clean Air Zones'? 

First of all, a regional authority needs to address all sources and levels of gases and other harmful pollutants such as Nitrogen Dioxide that gather when vehicles idle in traffic hotspots. 

Once known, action taken to readdress issues and imbalances with air quality needs to quietly, affordably and seamlessly integrate without harming a city's ambition and vision for future growth.

There are specific criteria that a regional authority must comply with to transition to a low emission economy. This includes hitting pre-determined emission standards, raising awareness and understanding among local communities, improving the business environment and optimising traffic flow. 

On paper, it sounds like the dirty air problem in a city is hard to fix. But in reality, it doesn't have to be.

Collaborative Partnerships

We deeply understand how unmanaged traffic flow and poor air quality go hand in hand. It's a complex issue that Urban Traffic Managers, Environment Officers and Council Leaders have to manage well in the eyes of the public, council leaders and central government.

To date, Now Wireless is allowing twenty local authorities take immediate action to improve air quality as part of their quest to create a low emission economy. Wolverhampton City Council is one such area where our sensors, AI algorithms and powerful data reporting monitors and manages air quality in real-time. 

Our advanced digital system feeds data picked up by sensors into our AI which assimilates, and analyses gas emissions, journey times, types of vehicles, travel time (time of day), and length of a road user trip. 

Consequently, this level of analysis outputs dynamic information that empowers UTMC to take immediate action, including but not limited to, diverting traffic away from congested areas, using intelligent light sequencing to prevent pollution buildups, and recommending alternative routes to drivers via SMS text messaging. 

What's more significant is that our system can predict pollution levels an hour in advance. Machine learning within our AI analyses data from connected sources; CCTV cameras, pollution sensors, historical weather patterns, and passing digital signatures within one day of a pollution monitor being installed. 

How does this help? 

Essentially the unique predictive capabilities of Now Wireless AI means a problem is resolved before it becomes a pollution or traffic issue. Our sensors are very accurate, picking up information in bad weather, low-light conditions and at night-time. We can therefore give you a relevant, completely workable and highly affordable solution. Install is frictionless, the public is not inconvenienced and the equipment easy to maintain.

It is precisely these benefits that attracted the eye of Wolverhampton City Councillor and Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change, Steve Evans. By using Now Wireless, he feels he is at 'the cutting edge of technology where he is 'not waiting for pollution levels to become a problem to then be told to we've got to do something about it'. Instead, he encourages his regional authority to take a proactive approach to creating a ‘Clean Air Zone’. 

Listen to his interview with transport correspondent Sean Daly and Now Wireless CEO Brian Jackson on the "World at One’ aired 27th September 2021 at 1pm.  BBC World at One programme

Why choose Now Wireless 

As we research, develop and engineer our solutions, we are continuously at the leading edge of AI and product development. Our technology is seen as the best in the traffic signalling industry, and so many highway agencies and solution providers choose Now Wireless to fulfil key elements of their turn-key solutions. 

We also sell our technology directly to councils, regional authorities and central government. We choose not to lock you into our specific brand technology or encourage you to do a total replacement of all existing kit. 

Instead, our philosophy is to advocate flexible integration that enables city councillors, Urban Traffic Control Managers and other key policymakers deliver a their master plan. We want you to take an evolutionary path by integrating our plug and play hardware and AI into your existing transport design.  

This approach allows you to take advantage of new cutting edge technology using a methodology that creates space and opportunity for fine-tuning using real-time data and continual, gradual upgrades in line with AI advancements. Also, we are not 'eye-watering' expensive as 'going green' shouldn't be out of reach for any regional authority, even those with significant budget constraints. 

Would you benefit? 

If you are a local authority that can benefit from our "smart city” cleaner air digital system, contact Paul Hudson who will be happy to talk too you. Reach him on 01883 621 100 or via email at paul@nowwireless.com. 

Our AI breakthrough that changes 'green man' crossings automatically

Our new intelligent traffic light system is the first pedestrian crossing in the UK where lights automatically change without any need to push a button.

Our system uses innovative AI and machine learning to predict whether people are heading for a junction. It does so by identifying the travel patterns of road crossers from up to 15 meters away ( the cameras) and working out their intentions (the AI and machine learning). 

What does it do exactly

Our technology can detect pedestrian numbers and predict their patterns of behaviour at busy crossings. As vehicle and pedestrian movement across cities changes continuously, our new technology assists traffic managers in creating smarter traffic junctions to provide a more seamless user experience for both motorists and pedestrians.

Essentially, the combined power of Now Wireless artificial intelligence technology, wide-angled cameras, machine learning and intuitive sensors determines priority based on patterns of behaviour to change traffic lights automatically without pedestrians needing to touch a button.

Why is this important

UK wide Councils, transport agencies, vehicle owners and pedestrians will experience a positive impact of this system in use.

Smart Junctions ultimately lead to better traffic flow and reduced congestion as cars are no longer asked to sit idling when waiting for ghost pedestrians to cross the road. Consequently, our ‘automatic crossing’ is better for the environment because it keeps traffic flow moving rather than asking vehicles to stop-start unnecessarily. There is also a wellbeing and health benefit for pedestrians via a reduced risk of virus transmission from eliminating the need to touch a button to cross the road.

How does the vehicle and pedestrian management system work exactly? 

The system works by using CCTV images to inform artificial intelligence that changes the lights when sufficient numbers of pedestrians are waiting. 

 We can assist traffic managers program their traffic lights to change accordingly to pre-set requirements. A number of parameters can be put in place to best meet specific requirements for individual crossings. For example, the lights can change when a specific amount of time elapses, if the camera identifies a single person is waiting or to change in a shorter time if a large number of people are standing.

 The information gathered by the AI helps traffic managers monitor pedestrian numbers and their use of particular crossing points. There are no road works required for installation, making the Now Wireless pedestrian AI smart traffic system highly cost-effective.

Brian Jackson, Managing Director at Now Wireless, comments: “As economies build back, information about pedestrian numbers, and making sure that crossing points operate efficiently will be particularly important for urban areas. 

Implementing the system

Our focus is to continue advising and supporting councils across the UK to implement our new long-term and cost-effective solution for pedestrian and traffic management. 

For more information on how this technology can enhance your Smart City, contacting Paul Hudson, project manager at NowWireless. Paul can be reached at paul@nowwireless.com or on + 44 (0) 789 4586977

About Now Wireless: Founded in 1979, the company develops and supplies ‘smart city’ systems to 43 UK local authorities and others across the UK. The proprietary AI-driven sensing equipment provides real-time data, linking the information to central traffic management systems. Our plug and play systems can help councils and traffic management authorities in a multitude of ways. 

Reduce Traffic Pollution in 3 steps

Step 1 - Measure

Install Pollution Sensors

XanLabs Pollution Monitors give real-time feedback.

By putting Pollution Monitors on the street, an analysis of the times and locations which have dangerous levels of Pollution can be identified.

Using XanLabs NO2 monitors or the Multi-sensors Particle, NO2, CO and Ozone sensors give minute by minute data that can be viewed and graphed. Alerts can be set for different levels.

• Alerts at pre-set values

• Up to 5 years of operation

• Auto-Calibration using Artificial Intelligence

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Step 2 - Analyse

Journey Time Data

Using the locations identified by the Pollution Monitors, Bluetooth Sensors are then installed on those routes creating high levels of Pollution.

From our research, we have found Journey Time to be one of the most significant factors in Pollution management.

By collecting the Journey Time information, we can use that data, along with the weather and other factors, to predict Pollution levels for various time periods.

• Journey Time Calculation

• Beacon Ability to allow communications to vehicles

• Mapping of Journey across the city

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Step 3 - Action

Produce Plans for Traffic Signals and Diversions

AI’s learn from the data and analyse this in real-time, using Journey Time, weather, CCTV and other factors to map the pollution data and start predicting the one hour ahead forecast.

Data can then be sent to Traffic Systems and other Smart City applications to mitigate the event, to reduce pollution.

Traffic strategies such as Green Waves, Diversions, Driver Awareness, Tolls and Variable Speed Limits are possible.

• Real Time Pollution Prediction

• Real Time Vehicle Classification from CCTV

• Green Wave Support

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AI - Prediction

Samples of Pollution Prediction

Predicted Pollution vs Actual Pollution in Coventry (1 hour ahead)

These graphs show the effectiveness of the AI, trained on pollution and journey time data while inputting other parameters to create a 26 variable model.

The red line represents the value predicted 1 hour beforehand and the blue line represents the actual value.

Predicted Pollution vs Actual Pollution in Glasgow (1 hour ahead)

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Legal Limits - Pollution

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)

200 μg/m3 or 104 ppb 1 hour average no more than 18 times per year

40 μg/m3 or 20 ppb averaged over 1 year

Particulate Matter (PM 2.5)

25 μg/m3 averaged over 1 year

Particulate Matter (PM 10)

50 μg/m3 averaged over 24 hour

40 μg/m3 averaged over 1 year

Carbon Monoxide (CO)

10 mg/m3 or 8.59 ppm Maximum Daily 8 hour mean

Ozone (O3)

20 μg/m3 or 60 ppb Maximum Daily 8 hour mean

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