Traffic information to be displayed on taxis in London

Road traffic information will be displayed on taxi-top digital advertising boards in a trial aimed at cutting congestion in London. 

From today (7 December), Transport for London (TfL) are trialling the technology with BrightMove Media to enable the capital’s iconic taxis to encourage other road users to avoid congested roads.

Initially, targeted messages will inform road users of traffic levels at 40 to 50 areas where there are known traffic delays.  In the future, the technology could be used to provide real-time updates on incidents across London’s road network.  Messages will be displayed on around 200 taxis fitted with the electronic boards using GPS technology to ensure that the information is accurate and up-to-date.

Garrett Emmerson, TfL’s chief operating officer for surface transport, said: “This trial is an innovative new way to reach road users in London and keep them informed of traffic conditions. Using the capital’s fleet of taxis to get real-time traffic information out will inform other drivers of any disruption on the network, helping them to avoid the most congested routes. It is one of many ways we are focusing our attention on keeping London moving, particularly during the current success-driven boom in construction seen across London.”

Jamie Lindsay, BrightMove Media’s chief executive, added: “Broadcasting congestion information to Londoners on iconic black taxis highlights the unique technological and programming capabilities our software possesses. This trial will keep Londoners up to date with live traffic conditions and events in the capital – exactly the kind of information that they need.”