The UK Government is set to invest in three trial projects that utilise traffic data to reduce road congestion.

All three projects were selected through a competitive process.

The Department for Transport (DfT) allocated a total sum of £1.5m for the trials. The funding was awarded from a £20m Govtech Catalyst fund, which was created to resolve local transport issues with technology.

Successful projects include software developed by transport company Vivacity. The technology monitors traffic and alerts traffic control operators about an incident in real-time to expedite the response process.

A tool created by Technology SME IM23 in collaboration with Oxfordshire Council has also been selected for trials. It assists controllers in understanding traffic flow and making necessary improvements to the road network.

The third project involves using vehicle tracks to map vehicle ‘paths’, optimising traffic signal operations in the city. York-based Inrix is associated with the development of this technology.

UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Congestion isn’t just bad for our environment, productivity and communities. It also has a huge impact on our national economy.

“That’s why, as well as our multi-billion-pound investment in rail and buses to improve connectivity, we are opening up city centre, transport and traffic management to new digital innovators.

“Transport technology is a growing global sector with the potential to help reduce congestion, emissions and improve connectivity.

“Today’s competition winners show how world-class UK transport tech companies are helping millions of people in our towns and cities every day.”

The three projects will be managed by the DfT for 12 months.