Impressive results from the first days of operation of the “smart lights” at the roundabout of Agia Phyla, said Transport Minister Giannis Karousos, who at noon was informed on the spot by those responsible for the new system aimed at reducing the traffic problem.
The system, which started operating since noon last Monday, has recorded a decrease in the time of the journey, from Agia Phyla to the roundabout, by 73%, since as Mr. Karousos mentioned, this route during the morning hours, which is a serious problem, has been reduced from about 35 minutes, to 9.5 minutes. , on the 2nd and 3rd day of operation of the system, during the afternoon peak hours, the waiting time has been reduced from 20 minutes to 9 minutes, a decrease of around 55%.
“The goal with the installation of this smart system was to reduce the waiting time by an average of 57% and today we are around 55%,” he said, adding that the necessary arrangements continue to be made for maximum system performance.
The Minister of Transport stressed that, “it has been shown to be a very, very correct decision, which was taken on the basis of both a simulation and a study that had been done and we have received a great many positive comments, particularly in recent days, particularly from people who have waited a long time in the morning because of the traffic that exists at this roundabout”.
It is, he continued, a smart system with sensors, which makes decisions in real time, “something innovative for the data of Cyprus”, and announced that, in July, offers will be announced for the installation of a similar system in 120 places where there are traffic lights, in Nicosia and Limassol.
Asked to comment on complaints that citizens posted photos in the NSAs about delays in the operation of the system, Giannis Karousos clarified that these related to the first day of its trial, and indicated that there happened on that day there was an accident, with a car shotgun, which contributed to the traffic congestion observed.