Urban Traffic Management and Control (UTMC) is the section of Warrington Borough Council that is responsible for all traffic signals and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) in Warrington. These systems play a major role in managing the Warrington road network.

There are approximately 170 sets of signals in Warrington, all of which are linked to computerised systems.

The work of this section covers:-

• maintenance of all traffic signals (junction and pedestrian crossings) and ITS equipment
• setting signal timings/co-ordination of groups of signals
• moment by moment network management - adjusting timings etc to deal with localised problems.
• installation of traffic signals as part of development schemes.
• installation of new signals as part of Local Transport Plan schemes

Controlling traffic signals

• about half of all the signals in Warrington are linked to a central computer which monitors and controls the signals the other half are monitored only by computerised systems.
• a lot of work goes into setting signal sequencing and timing to give the right proportion of green time to each approach for specific times of day.

Fault handling

• UTMC handles over 1,500 fault reports each year.
• a new maintenance contract has recently been introduced with improved response times and reduced costs. All target response times to signal faults are being met or exceeded.
• many faults on the controlled signals are reported to UTMC automatically via the central computer.
• although we have intelligent systems for fault reporting we still rely on members of the public to supply information. 

Network management

• UTMC staff monitor traffic flows throughout the town.
• considerable use is made of CCTV for monitoring congestion hotspots.
• manual adjustments are made to signal timings to cater for unusual traffic flow.
• the control room operators will use manual over-ride for major incidents.
• UTMC regularly provide the media with details of traffic conditions and have links with other local authorities and the Highways Agency to share surrounding network information.