SWARCO’s intelligent ANPR on Wolverhampton ring road

An intelligent Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system designed and installed by SWARCO UK & Ireland, the UK’s leading intelligent traffic solutions and technology business, is helping the City of Wolverhampton Council to reduce speeding on one of the city’s busiest roads. 

The A4150 ring road encircles the city centre of Wolverhampton and is divided into seven sections, between seven junctions. During the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with less vehicles on the roads, the Council received reports of some drivers using the ring road as ‘a race track’, ignoring the 40mph speed limit and driving at excessive speeds. After a successful appeal to temporarily adjust the speed limit change from 40mph to 30mph on the ring road, the Council turned to SWARCO, its long-term traffic management and maintenance partner, to recommend and design a solution to further advise and remind drivers of the new limit.

SWARCO designed and installed a bespoke ANPR-based solution comprising of ANPR cameras paired with its intelligent full RGB Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) to provide the Council with a Watchman installation. In total, SWARCO installed seven systems on the ring road to ensure full coverage across the seven sections. As the A4150 is two lanes, SWARCO’s team of experienced engineers also designed and installed a bespoke post to enable two cameras to be fitted to provide coverage across both lanes. 

As a vehicle drives through the camera, its number plate and speed are automatically captured, with the data sent and stored to the signs. The entire system can be monitored and managed by the Council through SWARCO’s intelligent traffic management platform, including being able to quickly and easily update messages displayed on the VMS, such as advising on the new speed limit. Through the management platform, the Council can access in-depth weekly reports from SWARCO, enabling them to analyse the speed of all vehicles travelling on the A4150, with any vehicles travelling over the 30mph speed limit highlighted within the reports for ease of review. 

Andrew Evans, Service Manager – Network Operation and Performance at City of Wolverhampton Council, says the reduced speed limit paired with SWARCO’s bespoke ANPR and signage solution, has had the desired impact on reducing speed on the ring road: “We noticed an immediate impact in truth,” he says.

“The system that SWARCO designed and installed, with the ANPR cameras integrated with the VMS signs and the existing traffic signals and signage along the ring road, is providing the solution we needed. 

“We had one or two initial teething problems, but SWARCO’s service and maintenance engineers were very quick to sort these. The level of reporting and data provided by SWARCO has been invaluable, enabling us to evidence a 50% reduction in driver speeds, validating the decision to reduce the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on the ring road.”

Due to the success of speed change with the ANPR system, the Council successfully requested for the speed limit on the road to permanently changed to 30mph.

“This project is a prime example of our proven track record to design and deliver bespoke systems and solutions that meet the needs of our customers,” says John Pickworth, Managing Director of SWARCO UK & Ireland. “We are proud of our continued support and partnership with the City of Wolverhampton Council, helping them to ensure road safety throughout the city.”