New network to save Transport for Greater Manchester £300k per year

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has signed a contract worth £1.4m over five years with managed network provider Easynet Global Services for a communications platform to improve local traffic conditions.

As part of the deal, Easynet will provide a fully managed ADSL network that will help TfGM to unify its traffic management and roadside intelligent transport system infrastructure into one single platform.

TfGM expects the programme to reduce its operational costs by £0.3m per year.

David Hytch, information systems director for TfGM, said: "TfGM is focused on providing better services for the road user and best value for Greater Manchester.

"With Easynet's participation, we'll give Greater Manchester a safer, more reliable highway network for pedestrians, motorists and businesses alike to enable economic growth and sustainable mobility."

The new deal aims to improve the efficiency of traffic signals and processes for monitoring road usage and journey times by providing a resilient IP network.

The managed network includes a controlled MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) core which will provide TfGM with end-to-end bandwidth for its Intelligent Transport Systems. These include traffic signals, pedestrian crossings, traffic monitoring cameras, variable message signs and environmental and car park monitoring devices.

The contract follows a similar implementation for Transport for London (TfL) that saw Easynet connect CCTV and congestion charging systems, and a previous project for TfGM to enable connectivity to bus shelters for CCTV monitoring of anti-social behaviour.