London motorists caught up in congestion could soon be thankful for finding themselves stuck behind a red bus. Live traffic information has begun to be displayed on the back of buses in the capital in the first of two six month trials.

 

Transport for London says the information will help drivers to avoid congested roads and reduce wasted time and needless pollution from idling cars.

 

The first route to use the bus information displays is the 344 between Clapham Junction and Liverpool Street and will be followed by route 415 south towards Tulse Hill in the autumn.

 

Electronic boards fitted with GPS technology take information from London’s variable message sign network, which is fed by the capital’s traffic control centre. 

 

“This innovative use of one of the capital’s most iconic features – the London bus – will help all road users,” said Transport for London’s chief operating officer for surface transport Garrett Emmerson. “We are focused on keeping London moving and on giving drivers real time information through a range of channels.”

 

The electronic boards on the back of buses are provided by a company called Equitech IT Solutions. Developers of other innovative products and services are invited to take information directly from Transport for London’s variable message sign network at api.tfl.gov.uk free of charge.

 

(Photo: Transport for London)