Traffic technology supplier Siemens has selected Ann Arbor, a city in Michigan, US, as the location for the first centre of excellence for intelligent traffic technology.

Siemens will help expand the city’s traffic system infrastructure in order to ease traffic congestion in the city, and improve travel for road users.

The city will be able to gather the latest real-time data quicker, and observe an enhanced impact on road congestion and safety.

The technologies to be part of the centre of excellence include the latest version of Siemens TACTICS smartGuard, SEPAC local controller software, and upgrades of the current split, cycle and offset optimisation technique (SCOOT) system.

The latest version of Siemens TACTICS smartGuard is a cloud-based traffic management software, which will allow the city to monitor changing traffic conditions in real-time using the internet.

Operators will be able to respond to changing traffic conditions, changing patterns to reduce congestion, and enhancing road safety.

Located on the traffic controller, SEPAC local controller software communicates between the controller and the central system, as well as between the controller and mobile devices. Siemens will provide the latest version of this software with enhanced features to the city.

"The need to move traffic in and out of the city efficiently is crucial."

An adaptive traffic control system, SCOOT automatically adjusts signal timings to optimise traffic flow.

The latest version of the SCOOT system comes with several features, including improved operation during low traffic flow periods, and updated reporting of emissions estimates.

Siemens Intelligent Traffic Systems president Marcus Welz said: "Ann Arbor is a city of 115,000 residents, 70,000 students and thousands of visitors, and that puts considerable stress on a transportation system.

"The need to move traffic in and out of the city efficiently is crucial not only for economic and environmental impacts, but for quality of life for Ann Arbor residents."

"The city’s ability and willingness to leverage technology to improve traffic and quality of life for their residents and guests, our long-standing 10-year technology partnership, and the existing culture of research through the university and local business make Ann Arbor an ideal partner of choice for a Siemens Intelligent Traffic Center of Excellence."