Glasgow is to expand the use of artificial intelligence at traffic signals in an effort to give buses greater priority and reduce delays on busy routes.
Paisley Road West and Aitkenhead Road will join Pollokshaws Road in the next phase of the project. The system uses virtual loops and AI capability at junctions to adjust signal operation in response to traffic conditions.
Pilot showed early improvement
Angus Millar, the city council’s transport convenor, said the investment would allow Glasgow to “progress further our innovative AI traffic signal optimisation project”.
Millar said an initial pilot on Pollokshaws Road, using technology supplied by Huddersfield-based SimplifAI Systems, had shown early promise. He cited “indications of a more than 30 per cent reduction in bus journey time in Pollokshaws Road”.
The council says the expansion will cost £650,000. Funding is being provided through Transport Scotland’s Bus Infrastructure Fund Tier 2 for 2026 to 2027, from which Glasgow is receiving £3.6m.
Further routes under review
Almost half of Glasgow’s Bus Infrastructure Fund allocation is earmarked for bus priority work on Maryhill Road, Great Western Road, Dumbarton Road, Pollokshaws Road and Paisley Road West.
The council will assess these busy corridors for future measures intended to improve bus journey times and reliability.